In the small town of Tylertown, Mississippi, 43-year-old Chadwick 'Chad' Bryant was known as a skilled mechanic and a 'jack of all trades.' Friends described him as a loyal man who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. His life was tragically cut short on September 21, 2021, when he was found shot to death in his home on Kirkland Road. The news of his violent death sent ripples through the tight-knit community, leaving family and friends in mourning.
The Walthall County Sheriff's Office launched an immediate investigation into the homicide. Their attention quickly turned to a primary suspect, Yerby Hughes. Investigators learned that Hughes had been seen at Bryant's residence. Further evidence emerged when Bryant's truck was discovered abandoned on Highway 27 South, with witnesses having seen Hughes driving it. This discovery intensified the manhunt for Hughes, who managed to evade authorities for nearly two days.
A coordinated effort involving the Walthall County Sheriff's Office, Tylertown Police, the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Rayburn Correctional Facility K-9 team culminated in Hughes's capture. He was found hiding in an abandoned shed. Following his arrest, Yerby Hughes was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Chad Bryant. After more than two years in jail as his case proceeded through the legal system, Hughes pleaded guilty to the charge. In November 2023, a judge sentenced him to life in prison, bringing a measure of closure to a case that had deeply affected the Tylertown community. Hughes was also ordered to pay fines and restitution to Bryant's family.
