In the late summer of 2022, the community of Vancleave, Mississippi, was shaken by the tragic death of Nina Olivia Brossett, a 38-year-old Caucasian woman known for her bright smile and love for her family. A graduate of Vancleave High School and an assistant manager at Ward's, Nina was a beloved mother to four children, a cherished daughter, and a friend to many.
Her life, filled with fishing, swimming, and large family gatherings, came to a devastating end over Labor Day weekend.
On the morning of Monday, September 5, 2022, deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department discovered Nina's body in a bedroom of her home on Jim Ramsey Road. An investigation was immediately launched into her death. The autopsy later confirmed that she had been fatally shot. The quiet community was left in shock and mourning as news of the violent nature of her death spread.
Just two days later, on September 7, 2022, an arrest was made in connection with Nina's death. Her husband, 37-year-old Sterling Dugas Jr., was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. In addition to the murder charge, Dugas also faced a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was subsequently held without bond at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center. The swift arrest brought a suspect to the forefront of the investigation, leaving friends, family, and the community to grapple with the profound loss of a vibrant life cut short.
