On January 6, 2025, 26-year-old Cheyenne Kay Russell, a white female from Nacogdoches, Texas, was tragically shot and killed at an apartment complex located at 9999 Bellwood Lake Road in Tyler, Texas. Cheyenne had just moved into the apartment that very morning. According to arrest documents, her roommate discovered her deceased on the couch with a blanket over her head and blood on her face. Cheyenne's oldest child alerted the roommate, stating that their mother was dead.
The child also confirmed that Cheyenne and her ex-boyfriend, Jorian Raklyn Nashun Jackson, had been arguing prior to the incident. The child witnessed the shooting, describing that their father caused the "red" on their mother's dress. An autopsy revealed three gunshot wounds on Cheyenne's body, including one between her eyes.
Jorian Jackson, a 29-year-old male from Plano, Texas, was identified as the suspect in Cheyenne's murder. He was the father of one of Cheyenne's two children. Following the incident, Jackson fled and was on the run for over two weeks. On January 22, 2025, he was located and arrested at his grandparents' home in Tyler. His grandparents, Carolyn and Willie Johnson, both 75 years old, were subsequently arrested and charged with hindering apprehension for aiding Jackson during his evasion of law enforcement. Jackson was taken to a local hospital for undisclosed reasons before being booked into the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.
In the aftermath of Cheyenne's death, the State of Texas filed a paternity case against Jackson to establish legal parentage and child support obligations for their shared child. The petition was filed on February 4, 2025, in County Court at Law 2. However, Jackson had not been served with the citation due to his incarceration, complicating the legal proceedings. The court is expected to pursue alternative methods of notification to ensure Jackson is aware of the legal actions. The custodial situation for the child remains unclear, but it is anticipated that family members or guardians may assume care.
Cheyenne Kay Russell was born on July 29, 1998, in Wichita, Kansas. She was the youngest of four children and was known for her fiery spirit and unconditional love. Cheyenne became a mother in 2021, a role she cherished deeply. She is survived by her two children, Gianna and Joziah; her parents, Allen and Jennifer Russell; her siblings, Aspen, Zach, and Andrew; her grandparents, Judy Russell and Paul and Brenda Lawrence; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Big Al Russell. A funeral service was held on January 17, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches, Texas.
The community continues to mourn the loss of Cheyenne, a beloved daughter, sister, mother, and friend. Her memory lives on through the lives she touched and the family she left behind.
