On the night of January 3, 2020, John Anthony 'Jay' Tarvin, a 44-year-old male, was found shot to death inside his home on Presley Drive in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Tarvin was a well-known and beloved figure in his community, recognized for his dedication as a youth sports coach in baseball and football and for his volunteer work with the Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation department. His sudden and violent death sent shockwaves through the community, leaving friends, family, and the many young people he mentored mourning his loss.
The investigation into Tarvin's murder continued for months. In September 2020, a breakthrough appeared to be made with the arrest of 44-year-old Eddie McNair, who was charged with obstruction of justice in connection with the case. Despite this arrest, the case remained open as authorities continued to search for the person or persons directly responsible for Tarvin's death. The community waited for further developments, hopeful that justice would be served for a man who had given so much to the local youth.
A significant development in the case came in October 2022, when 26-year-old Eddie Person was arrested and charged with capital murder and tampering with evidence. However, after a trial, a Forrest County Circuit Court jury found Person not guilty on all charges in May 2025. The pursuit of justice did not end there. In November 2024, another suspect, 25-year-old Kode McNair, was apprehended in Memphis, Tennessee, by the U.S. Marshals Service. McNair faced charges of capital murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence. In January 2025, Kode McNair was found guilty of murder and tampering with evidence.
