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Were a series of suicides in a Mississippi jail really murder?  Andre Jones  Andre was pulled over CASE DETAILS In the summer of 1992, Andre Jones was 18-years-old and about to start his freshman year of college. His mother, Esther, was President of the Jackson Mississippi branch of the NAACP. His stepfather, Charles X. Quinn, was a Nation of Islam minister. In the early morning hours of Saturday, August 22nd, Andre and his girlfriend, Tanisha Love, were driving home when they approached a sobriety checkpoint. At the time, Andre was driving a friend’s pick-up truck.  Andre was arrested and charged A half hour later, Andre’s parents were awakened by a phone call from Tanisha. Andre had been arrested. At 2:00 AM, Andre called his parents from the Brandon Police station. He said he was unaware of what he’d been charged with. At 4:00 AM, Andre telephoned again, this time to say he had been transferred to the Simpson County Jail, 40 miles south of Jackson. According to Andre’s mother Esther, her son still didn’t know what the charges were against him:
Esther said she spoke to Andre at least five different times on Saturday:
Then at midnight on Saturday, the Quinns heard a knock on their door. It was a Jackson police officer. According to Esther, the officer handed her a piece of paper:
Esther immediately called the police station and received some devastating news:
 How did he hang himself with a shoelace? According to Andre’s parents, he had never shown suicidal tendencies. He had never even suffered from depression. Andre had no previous arrest record, so when Esther and Charles Quinn started to look into his death, they naturally began with the circumstances of his arrest. That night, Andre and Tanisha stopped by the Quinn’s house in Jackson around 11:45. They left and drove east toward Brandon, where Tanisha lived. Near the Brandon city limits, they came upon the checkpoint. According to the police, Andre stopped just short of the checkpoint and tossed something out the window. Police identified the object as a .38 caliber handgun. Inside the truck, police said there was an open can of beer. And finally, the truck—which Andre had borrowed and driven for more than a week—turned out to be stolen. However, Tanisha Love’s version of the events was quite different from the police report. According to Tanisha, the moment that the officers heard Andre’s name, their attitude immediately changed:
But according to the State Public Safety Commissioner Jim Ingram, Andre Jones was never shackled. In fact, Ingram disagreed with Tanisha’s entire account:
 Dr. Ward reviewed the autopsy According to Jackson Police, Andre was charged on four counts: driving a truck whose vehicle identification number had been altered, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of stolen license plate tags, and driving with an open container of alcohol. Commissioner Ingram remained adamant that the arrest was not confrontational. Charles Quinn, however, said that an inmate in Brandon told him that police used racial slurs to intimidate his son:
The next day, Andre was transferred to the Simpson County Jail. That night, his body was found in a shower stall at the end of a dimly lit corridor. Authorities state that Andre tied his own shoelace to an iron grate above the showerhead and hung himself. When Charles Quinn was allowed to visit the cell, he estimated the grate was about eight feet above the floor:
Dr. Steven Hayne, the state-approved pathologist who performed the autopsy, said investigators had demonstrated that it was possible for Andre to have hung himself unaided:
Less than a week after Andre’s death, his parents hired an independent pathologist, Dr. James Bryant, to examine the remains and review the case:
The official autopsy report listed no evidence of bruising on Andre’s neck or anywhere else on his body. However, Dr. Bryant’s observations were different:
A year after Andre’s death, Mississippi named a new state medical examiner, Dr. Emily Ward. Dr. Ward reviewed Andre’s autopsy report as well as the autopsies of several other men who had died by hanging in Mississippi jails:
To date, vindication has eluded the Quinns. They filed two lawsuits—one against the State of Mississippi, the other against the federal government. However, both were dismissed. An investigation by the US Justice Department cited Mississippi’s jail system for what they called “gross deficiencies,” including unsanitary conditions and untrained employees. But the report failed to find evidence that the Mississippi hangings were anything other than suicides. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season six with Robert Stack and in season seven with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
Amanda
Not being in jail before could have broke him and inmates love killing each other. Doubt it has do with race when the same amount of whites killed themselves in jail there. It’s sad hopefully they get the answer they need
Laney
Everything has to do with race. I believe it had SOME racial/politial elements to it.
Lisa
This is a blatant case of MURDER(1993)plain & simple! It’s about race! It’s about who his parents are & what they represented! MISSISSIPPI is dripping with racism & prejudice against African Americans. I was there in 2003…the racism is so thick that it’s an aura when you step off the plane & that is in Jackson. I had the displeasure in traveling to other areas of the state by my African American Mississippi ambassador that warned me that if we were randomly stopped to make sure to tell authorities we are nothing but co-workers, which we were. Please note: I am Caucasian & Native American. I witnessed “good ole’ boys” trucks, one after another, adorning rebel flags & shot gun racks loaded with shot guns. I also witnessed open racism at various venues and vendors, my hotel; fast food restaurants to sit down restaurants; and my branch of employment. This was disgusting, dispicable & disturbing! It’s 2024 and I am highly doubtful that the state of Mississippi has evolved. Real f-ing talk!
Marie
To say racism was palpable in Simpson County in the 90’s would be an understatement. I can’t speak on the level of racism present there now, but I’d be surprised if there has been much of a change considering how ingrained it was into daily life in the 90’s. “The elevators don’t have cameras” was a phrase used about that county jail. An 18 year old about to head off to college did not hang himself less than 12hrs into being in a county jail. If another inmate killed him, they would not bother trying to cover that up.
celina
oh please the state of Mississippi at that its anything other than an suicide its long history on that state and how they treated African Americans
Anonymous
Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour cleaned up a lot of mess they had in Mississippi jails. He pardoned two black ladies the where sentenced decades for allegedly stealing less than a couple dollars. And he was ridiculed for those pardons. I couldn’t believe it. Mississippi was a mess before that governor so graciously cleaned it up. Something about the Andre Jones case doesn’t seem right. I don’t know all the details, but there is probably more to it than we know about. The jails are not civilization. The police do not patrol it like they would our neighborhoods. They could have missed something. Many assaults happen in showers.
Sanders
How many of the claimed suicides was the victims black vs white? This sounds like a hate crime. I am not a cop hater but they often times cover for each other. I doubt there was a gun, beer, stolen truck plus false plates. I think he was arrested for driving while black. I doubt he will ever be vindicated and that’s sad. My heart bleeds sorrow for the family and friends. To me he sounded like he was the best of possible track and excited to make a good life for himself by being concerned about classes being missed. That sounds like he had every thing to look forward to and not a kid who ends their dreams by suicide. May God bring justice in those involved when judgement day comes. Don’t let this go. Keep fighting at all costs. Times have changed and today the courts are more open and willing to find evil people guilty.
Manny
I just watched this episode. They said it was equal White and equal Black.
Manny
They said equal Black and White at the beginning of the episode.
clara
i’m with you. i feel the same about the whole story. may justice be served and the truth be revealed. either way, judgment will come upon them. there will be a day.
POWERFUL
I BELIEVE HE WAS KILLED BECOME OF WHOM HIS PARENTS WERE , AS AFRICAN AMERICAN BACK IN THOSE DAYS WHEN YOU HOLD A CERTAIN POSITION YOU ARE A THREAT WHEN YOU ARE EDUCATED AND POWERFUL. HE WAS MURDERED , BECAUSE IT HAPPENED IN THAT TIME AND IN A JAIL , IT WILL ALWAYS BE RULED A SUICIDE.
Manny
Maybe if it were an isolated incident. Though multiple times throughout the episode they state there were White hangings as well. Not only that, but equal White and Black hangings. I wish everyone would step back and review all the facts before they go race-baiting.
Anonymous
I wish the case was reopened. The shoelace was too small to go around a second object. It is my opinion Andre was held down to the floor by a foot to his shoulder, and the entire weight went on the leg holding his shoulder while pressure went to his neck. That in my opinion was an obvious homicide. Andre’s dad was a very goid person, but even today the Nation of Islam is approached lopsided by some. His mother really hurts me to see. She contributed a lot to her community.
Trish
I love how most of you automatically assume it was racists white cops….because you know prisoners never kill other prisoners. And people under great stress never commit suicide. Not saying that it can’t be the police, but it’s sad to see so many assuming that with NO evidence.
My question, why didn’t they automatically take shoelaces away at this time? Many other counties did.
Andrea
He should’ve never been in jail in the FIRST PLACE!! So yes, the racist cops contributed to his death if not solely responsible.
Manny
I’m pretty sure I would have been put in jail too, if I were driving a stolen vehicle without a driver’s license handy. The important question is “why were both Black and White inmates equally found hung in the jail?”
Bo Hadan
Andre is a gang member, a criminal, and deserved to be in jail
He was also a coward and took his own life
Oyeleye
This happened in Mississippi. That alone is your first clue.
He should never have been arrested or held without knowing the charges against him.
He came from a prominent Black family. He was a kid with everything to live for. He did absolutely nothing wrong, so why would a happy, healthy young man commit suicide over something he didn’t do?
If it walks like a duck…
LeJon
White cops aren’t racist?what planet do you live on?
Anonymous
Those shoe laces were so small, I’m not sure it could have went around his neck. Yet alone his neck and another object. Sometimes you have to call it what it is. I think it is a homicide.
Jarvis
We all know that he was murdered..this crime was racially motivated,in regards to both parents political assignments.we are talking about Mississippi, the heart of one the most racist states of all times.the sheriff of that town covered it up,along with the state governor.
Anon
He’s a young, black male. Obviously corrupt white cops did this.
Nuff'T
Just watched the episode of unsolved mysteries. June 17, 2021
I’m shocked to be reading that this case hasnt been solve or even re open. Clearly, Andre Jones WAS MURDERED! I pray that someone solved this case for his parents sake.
Anonymous
I agree 100 percent. There is no way that small shoelace went all the way around his neck. Based on the evidence, it looks like someone used it to strangle him from behind, while using a foot to push the shoulder forward.
Anonymous
IT’S 2021,,,,SOMEONE SHOULD RE OPEN THIS CASE! BECAUSE BACK THEN THERE WERE SO MANY HANGINGS,,,,AS I LOOK BACK AT THIS PARTICULAR CASE.THEY HAD OTHER FAMILIES TO COME FORWARD SOME EVEN WHITE(SHOCKINGLY) IF YOU HAVE ANYWHERE FROM NOT 1 OR2 BUT- 5 TO 8,,,UP TO 10 HANGINGS?????!!!!! COME ON YOU DON’T THINK THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE??????!!!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT HIS CASE AND THE OTHERS!!!!!
Robert Cif
Wow….I’ve been an unsolved fan since day 1 but you guys have lost all credibility with this story.
Mother in the NAACP, father in the NOI, son indisputably caught with a stolen car and allegedly had a gun. Of course the parents will NEVER admit their son was a criminal.
I think it says it all that this case was investigated by multiple agencies, 2 medical examiner’s and the parents civil suits have been thrown out of court twice.
Unsolved Mysteries should be embarrassed of themselves that they even made this case a story
Sanders
Wow really? Your KKK is showing. Shame on you. Btw I am a 41 year old white female. And I know for a fact a lot of cops have hate in their hearts. Many on a power trip. Not all cops are evil but hate to break it to you….they cover for each other often. They also tell lies to get away with many wrong doing.
JE
Thank you for the reply. You’re Very right!
Sharrell
This young black man deserved to have his day in court- an opportunity to conclude that he was the presumed criminal.
A presumed criminal does not deserved to die in this manner.
Your comment about his parents was irrelevant.
Unfortunately, questionable deaths such as these are not uncommon.
This incident occurred in 1992
This still happens.
Perhaps a bit of empathy may open your eyes: If this was your loved one or someone that you knew very well, would you do everything that you could to find out what really happened?
If you had experienced random incidents of racism or abuse in your life, would you believe that ‘homicide’ of this kind could be possible?
I suggest that you open yourself to experiences outside of your comfort zone. You will have a better understanding of the world that we live in.
Andy
I live in Simpson County and was born in 2003. I watch this show and love it all. Back to Mr. Jones- condolences to the family of this young man. I know personally the members of the Simpson County force and know none of them have the guts to “legitedally” kill some one. Consider The Following However:
1. Why did he have tennis shoes.
2. How did shoelaces hold.
3. What motives.
4. Why weren’t officers under oath in court to what happened.
Tyrenda Lewis
The bottom line is that they had no reason to do what they did to that young man period. The way they handle the hold situation was very suspicious. God sit high and he looks low, he’s the only one that knows what really took place in the jail that night.
Kasey
Clearly that boy was killed by those hateful ugly disgusting cops. The fact that a cop can do this and get away is why I don’t believe in justice at all.
Donavan S.Delvecchio
Same here Kasey! Well said.
CaramelnCreme
I know right. That’s why sometimes justice serves those who serve themselves. Just saying…
Forsberg
Clearly based on nothing but thats what you want to believe. Look at the evidence. None of it points to the police.
Tyrenda Lewis
I agree
Al Bolton
I was Andre’s best friend. Andre would have never killed himself. Foul play in definite.
Donavan S.Delvecchio
Hey Al I certainly believe you! However how is Tanisha doing I hope all is well with her.
Tanisha love
Hello Tanisha is doing great I’m her youngest daughter you can look me up on Facebook Tanisha Love or on ig @xo.lashunn
My email is tanishalove12@icloud.com
Paul
He struck me as a 100% Grade A regular kid who might hang out with one of my sons. Andre should have been going on to the military or higher school, not to an early grave. My condolences.
Anonymous
There’s no coincidence that several people just hang themselves, with no previous hx of SI or MI. From all of the stories coming to fore about cover ups and police brutality, I strongly suspect foul play by the police. Unfortunately this is systemic, which is why they were not prosecuted. Mississippi has never caught up with the times and Jim Crow is still the law there. It’s shameful and the police there are pathetic. May this young man rest peacefully and his murder eventually solved.
Anonymous
Dr Emily Ward your words don’t fill me with much faith in your judgement, “investigated not by one but at least one, sometimes two or three”, um yeah sure. Poor kid.
morgan
I think someone killed him because this is exactly what happened to my father
Citizen
He was murdered. His killers knew what they were doing and how to frame it properly so the truth couldn’t be proven. I think that the Mississippi government suspects what’s going on but dont want that kind of bad publicity on their state so they won’t allow that door to open. It just goes to show what kind of system we really live in. I pray for Andre 🙁 God bless him & his loved ones.
Jessi
A classic lynching. Unsolved but hardly a mystery, especially considering who his parents are. Things haven’t gotten any better for black people concerning the police – cops have just cleaned up their language a bit – and I say this a white woman from Alabama who’s never experienced bad treatment from police. Poor kid and his family.
LUIS FREEH
DON’T THE POLICE GUARDS TAKE YOUR SHOELACES WHEN U GET TRANSFERED TO ANOTHER PERMANANT HOUSING? A JUMPSUIT AND LIKE SLIP ON SLIPPERS. YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! “I’VE BEEN” “I” THINK THAT HIS GIRL FRIEND NEVER SHOULD HAVE TOLD THE PARENTS WHAT HAPPENED. AND THAT DECIDED THAT!
DEBRA SIMMONS
Another sad case of a young black male being murdered in the state of Mississippi, especially in a government jail cell and getting covered up by the ones who killed him. this case is still crying out for justice, no matter that it happened 24years ago, today this young man Andre would be 42 years old. evil demons disguised like officers of the so-called law , without any doubt in my mind is fully responsible for Andre’s death and this system is allowed to get away with it. I just saw this episode on unsolved mystery and it breaks my heart to see this, because I too had a brother killed in 2007 while in police custody in a Mississippi jail, and to only have my case also dismissed. I wish the family get peace and justice 4 Andre. This young man did NOT deserve to have his life taken because of someone or someones evil racist hatered and some who had a hatered toward his mother and father’s affiliations with their organizations. I know Mississippi very well. Mississippi is my home state and one which I’m highly a shamed of , because the same old rotten,evil stuff still happens there. No Justice! No Peace! if anyone reads this and wants to get together to bring about change then please contact me at jjaa57@aol.com for further details.
SisterMorphine
Steven Hayne was eventually discredited as a pathologist, punished for perjury & several murder cases were overturned or reopened bc of his “evidence.” Whether that has anything to do with it, I don’t know, but this sounds mighty suspicious.
Anonymous
Madea
Rose
I don’t believe he killed himself . Someone knows what really happened and how they can sleep at night but judgement will come when you stand before our God ….
shelya
Why would a young man kill hem self ? Was he killed because of his parents positions within the community? This has got to stop,before all our childen die by the hands of HATE RED
Rebecca
I agree he did not commit suicide, someone did that to him. He was looking forward to starting his freshman year in college. It seems he was beaten and strangled to make it look like he committed suicide. Such Injustice, its a broken system, too many lies to cover-all wrong doings. its sad no closure for his family. May he rest in peace.
Anonymous
I don’t believe that this young man hung himself. I think it was the works of a hateful person. These people are still hiding in plain sight. How long will they be allowed to get away with this on earth? When it is all said and done, they will have to answer to the master. Wrong is wrong!!
Ebony
I really think someone the jail did it or one of the prisoners because I was reading how the police change up the story. but will they know it was white truck…