In the quiet community of Wildwood, Florida, a devastating series of events unfolded on the evening of April 6, 2026, culminating in the tragic death of 77-year-old Jerrylea Vaughn. A retired school teacher known for her dedication to her students and her active involvement in the women's ministry at Encounter Church, her life was cut short in an act of violence that has left her family and community in shock.
The harrowing incident began with a frantic 911 call from Vaughn herself, pleading for help and stating that her son was attacking her. Dispatchers could hear her terrified screams as law enforcement rushed to her home. Upon their arrival, they found her son, who was then taken into custody. Jerrylea Vaughn was grievously injured and was transported to UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital, where she was pronounced dead later that evening.
The suspect in her death is her son, 51-year-old Derek Vaughn. According to an arrest report, he admitted to the killing, claiming that he had been instructed by God to do so. He allegedly used both a knife and a handgun in the attack. Following the incident, Derek Vaughn was arrested and booked at the Sumter County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond on a charge of homicide.
Jerrylea Vaughn was a beloved native of Wildwood, born on May 15, 1948. She was a widow, having been married to her late husband for 41 years. She is survived by two children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Her funeral services have been scheduled to be held at Encounter Church, the place where she had devoted much of her time.
