In a tragic turn of events following the finalization of their divorce, 36-year-old Chaquanda Latise Odom was fatally shot in her vehicle on January 3, 2025, in Lexington Park, Maryland. On that Friday morning, at approximately 11:10 a.m., law enforcement responded to reports of a shooting in the 21000 block of Liberty Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Ms.
Odom with multiple gunshot wounds, including to her head and upper body; she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The sole suspect in the case, her 38-year-old ex-husband Jayson David Pressley, turned himself in to authorities at the St. Mary's County Detention Center later that same day. Pressley confessed to the shooting, telling investigators that he and Odom had arranged to meet in a parking lot near his home. The purpose of the meeting was for him to give her a $22,000 check as part of their divorce settlement. He stated that while Odom remained in her car, he stood outside the open driver's-side window, and at some point during their conversation, he shot her twice. When asked why he had brought a 9mm handgun to the meeting, he declined to answer. Investigators found two spent shell casings inside Odom's vehicle.
Jayson David Pressley was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and the use of a firearm in a violent crime. He was held without bond at the St. Mary's County Detention Center. In September 2025, Pressley was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional five years for the murder of his ex-wife. During the sentencing, the State's Attorney described the murder as a 'selfish act of domestic violence' that robbed a young mother of her life and her children of her love. The case was prosecuted by the Senior Assistant State's Attorneys and presided over by Circuit Court Judge Amy Lorenzini.
