Mississippi Tragedy: Uninformed Family Grieves After Son’s Burial by Police

In a heart-wrenching incident in Jackson, Mississippi, Bettersten Wade endured seven months of agonizing uncertainty about her missing son, Dexter Wade, only to discover that he had been struck and killed by a police cruiser just minutes after leaving home in March. Dexter, 37 years old at the time of his death, was eventually buried by the police without any notification to his family, compounding their grief and shock.

1. The Incident: Dexter Wade left his mother’s home on March 5 following a disagreement. When he failed to return or make contact, his mother reported him missing to the local police. Unbeknownst to the family, Dexter had been fatally hit by a police car less than a mile from home and less than an hour after he left.
2. Lack of Communication: Despite identifying Bettersten Wade as Dexter’s next of kin just three days after the accident, the investigator only made a single, unsuccessful attempt to contact her. Jackson police, responsible for continuing efforts to notify her, also failed in their duty. As a result, by the end of March, the coroner’s office filed for Dexter to be buried on the grounds of a penal farm, citing the absence of any claim for his body.
3. Discovery and Aftermath: Bettersten Wade was left in the dark about her son’s fate despite her persistent inquiries and was only informed of his death when a new investigator took over the case. The revelation came as a devastating blow to the family, including Dexter’s two young daughters, who now must grapple with the tragic news of their father’s death.
4. Seeking Answers and Justice: The family is now planning to have Dexter’s body exhumed and properly buried. Amidst their grief, there is a desperate need for answers and accountability. The children’s mother expressed her sorrow and the need for clarity, saying, “The hardest thing I ever had to do is tell my girls that their dad is never coming back. I just want someone to answer for what happened. I want to know what really happened”.

This incident raises serious questions about the procedures followed by the authorities in handling such sensitive cases and the devastating impact of their failures on the families involved. The Wade family’s ordeal highlights the need for more accountable, transparent, and compassionate handling of tragic events by law enforcement and related agencies.