In the quiet community of Laurel, Mississippi, a family dispute is said to have culminated in a tragic death, leaving friends and loved ones to mourn the loss of Vernon Ellis Tew Jr., a 69-year-old man known for his integrity and devotion to his family and faith. On the morning of Friday, June 19, 2026, Tew was discovered on his lawnmower near his home, having been shot at least once in the abdomen. His life came to an unexpected and violent end in a place he called home, sending ripples of shock through the tight-knit community where he was a well-regarded figure.
Vernon Tew was a man deeply rooted in his community. A 1976 graduate of Northeast Jones High School, he had recently celebrated his 50th class reunion. For 46 years, he built a career in the oil industry, starting with a division of Halliburton and eventually becoming a partner in Verde Services. Beyond his professional life, he was instrumental in the founding of Crossgate Bible Church, where he served as an elder and a musician on the Praise Team. His interests were varied, from golfing with friends at the Laurel Country Club to traveling in his RV with his wife, Becky. However, his greatest joy was his family, particularly his two grandsons, Jake and Reid.
The circumstances of his death led to a swift arrest. Vernon Tew's brother-in-law, 67-year-old William Hill, turned himself into law enforcement on the same day of the shooting. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with Tew's death. Authorities believe the motive for the fatal shooting stems from a dispute over family estate matters. During a court appearance in Jones County Justice Court, Hill's request for bond was denied by Judge Travis Haynes. The case against William Hill is now proceeding through the legal system, with the charge of first-degree murder indicating the gravity of the offense. The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings will seek to uncover the full details of the events that transpired on that fateful Friday morning, leaving a family fractured and a community in mourning.
