In the quiet community of Magee, Mississippi, a sense of unease settled in when Tazah Amethyst Hosey, a 30-year-old woman, was reported missing by her father on Saturday, December 23, 2023. The family's concern grew as hours turned into a day without any word from her. The search came to a tragic end on Christmas Eve when deputies from the Simpson County Sheriff's Office discovered an abandoned vehicle on Paul Kennedy Road, just outside the city limits.
Inside, they found Tazah, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The discovery of Tazah's body launched a homicide investigation by the Simpson County Sheriff's Office. Their efforts quickly led to a suspect. Investigators learned that 21-year-old Kendarious Marquise Dampeer had been seen leaving a local gas station with Tazah before her death. This crucial piece of information led to his swift apprehension.
Following his arrest, Kendarious Marquise Dampeer was charged with the murder of Tazah Amethyst Hosey. He was held at the Simpson County Adult Detention Center while awaiting his court appearance. In a resolution to the case, Dampeer later entered a guilty plea to the charge of second-degree murder. On March 24, 2025, a judge sentenced him to 40 years in prison, with 30 of those years to be served without the possibility of early release. As part of his sentence, Dampeer was also ordered to pay court costs and fines.
