In the late afternoon of August 8, 2020, tragedy struck in a quiet area of Drew County, Arkansas, near the town of Monticello. Clifton James 'C.J.' Jolley, a 27-year-old Caucasian male, was fatally shot on Garnett Road. The Drew County Sheriff's Office received a report of the shooting at approximately 3:17 p.m. and dispatched deputies to the scene. Upon their arrival, they discovered Jolley was already deceased. An avid outdoorsman, Jolley was known for his love of hunting, fishing, and riding four-wheelers. He worked as a pipeliner and heavy equipment operator and was of the Baptist faith.
The investigation into Jolley's death led authorities to two individuals shortly after the incident. A father and his daughter, 50-year-old Bobby D. Adams and 25-year-old Elizabeth Bailey Adams, were taken into custody and booked into the Drew County Jail on suspicion of murder. The promising lead in the case, however, took a turn the very next day when both were released without bond. The local sheriff clarified that no formal charges had been filed against them at that time.
In the wake of the shooting, Clifton Jolley's body was sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy as the investigation continued. Authorities stated that the case remained active, and they were seeking any information from the public that could lead to a resolution. A graveside service was held for Jolley on August 14, 2020, at the Valley Cemetery in Drew County, where family and friends gathered to mourn the young man whose life was cut short. As of the latest available information, the investigation into his death was still ongoing.
