William J. “Billy” Ray, a 63-year-old African American male, was found deceased at his residence on Hillcrest Drive in Natchez, Mississippi, on April 13, 2025. Deputies from the Adams County Sheriff's Office discovered Mr. Ray after responding to a call about an unresponsive male. An investigation revealed he had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A respected contractor, he was well-known in the community for his expertise in restoring historic homes.
The investigation into his death led law enforcement to a residence in West Monroe, Louisiana, within 48 hours. Digital forensic data, analyzed with the assistance of the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office Cyber Crime Unit, pointed investigators to this location. During the execution of a search warrant on April 16, 2025, authorities arrested Devin Ray Wheeler, a 28-year-old from Natchez. Wheeler was initially taken into custody for being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with a separate incident. A loaded 9 mm pistol was recovered and sent for ballistics analysis.
Further investigation identified Devin Wheeler as the primary suspect in Ray's death, and the Adams County Sheriff's Office obtained arrest warrants for him on charges of first-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm. His brother, Adam Cade Wheeler, was also identified as a person of interest and was questioned, but he was subsequently released without charges. Devin Wheeler was awaiting extradition to Adams County to face the charges against him.
