Crime
Missing 10-year-old Jayden Spicer found dead, mother confessed to killing him
BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. — Authorities have confirmed the tragic discovery of the body of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer, bringing a heartbreaking end to the days-long search in Jackson, Kentucky.
Jayden body was recovered in a shallow grave.
Kentucky State Police troopers confirmed at a press conference that Jayden Spicer’s mom, Felicia Gross, was charged with manslaughter, abuse of corpse, tampering with evidence and falsely reporting.
Gross was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
KSP confirmed that the body was sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy.
Jayden was reported missing on the morning of Wednesday, August 6, after he was last seen at his mother’s residence on Panbowl Branch Road around 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) said they received the call at 9:23 a.m. Wednesday, prompting an immediate large-scale search effort involving KSP, Breathitt County Emergency Management, and multiple rescue crews. Teams utilized drones, ATVs, sonar equipment, and extensive ground searches over a 20-mile radius, with plans to expand operations if necessary.
The search was complicated by the region’s rugged, mountainous terrain and the proximity to waterways, including Panbowl Lake. “In this situation, we want to keep hope alive, but we are racing against the clock,” Trooper Gayheart stated during the search.
“Unfortunately, the more time someone spends exposed to the elements, the chances of finding them safely diminish.”
Jayden’s family had issued a public plea for information, urging anyone with tips to contact authorities.
Locals also joined the effort, reviewing home surveillance footage and checking surrounding wooded areas, which are known for hazards such as coyotes and snakes.
Sources within the community have made unconfirmed claims that Jayden’s mother, Felicia Spicer—also known as Felicia Gross—may have confessed to involvement in his death.
While these statements have circulated widely online, law enforcement has not yet confirmed this information. Public records indicate that Felicia Spicer has a prior arrest for child endangerment.
Neighbors expressed deep concern over the boy’s disappearance and the dangers posed by the environment. “There are a lot of coyotes, you’ve got snakes at night,” said resident Mildred Shannon. “A child, even a young adult, probably isn’t safe out in the woods. Everybody cares—you wouldn’t want your son or grandson lost out there.”
Jayden was described as a white male, approximately 5’1” tall with a slim build, blonde hair, and blue eyes. At the time he went missing, he was wearing blue Sonic the Hedgehog pajama pants and a matching shirt.
Authorities are expected to release further details regarding the discovery of Jayden’s body and the ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Kentucky State Police Post 13 at 606-435-6069.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.