Suspicious death investigation leads to one felony arrest

A suspcicious deather is being investigated and a felony arrest has been made related to that investigation according to a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

The MCSO is actively investigating a “suspicious death” that was reported July 7, 2024. The body of the deceased, 45 year old Sherry Pope of Beaver Creek Rd in Vernon, Alabama was found by family members outside an unoccupied residence at 61365 Hatley Detroit Rd, on the edge of the Monroe County/MS line.

According to Sheriff Crook, Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley assisted by delivering Pope’s body to Biloxi for an autopsy. Preliminary findings showed no injuries, but a final autopsy report is pending, including toxicology.

Gregory James Hester age 56, boyfriend of the deceased and the last person to have been with Pope alive, has since been arrested by MCSO Investigators and charged with Felony Tampering with Evidence. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest of Hester on July 9th.

Greg HesterPhoto byMCSO

Hester is being held at Monroe County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond set by Justice Court Judge Brandon Davis. Hester is currently on Probation with the State of Alabama and had an active warrant at the time of his arrest.

Anyone with any information concerning the death of Sherry Pope, that might lead to an arrest or additional charges, is encouraged to contact Golden Triangle Crimestoppers (1-800-530-7151) to remain anonymous. If anyone has any information they believe to be accurate that would help in the investigation of the circumstances surrounding Pope’s death, we would like you to contact MCSO investigators at 662-369-2468.