Decades after the tragic murder of Selonia Reed, her son, Reggie Reed Jr., continues to grapple with the pain of losing his mother. In his poignant memoir, titled “The Day My Mother Never Came Home,” he seeks to piece together the memories and experiences of a life without her. The complexity of his family’s history and the long quest for justice has been further complicated by the recent arrest of his father, Reginald Reed Sr., in connection with Selonia’s death.
The case, which spans over 30 years, reveals a painful narrative of unresolved grief, family betrayal, and the pursuit of justice. As details emerge from the investigation and legal proceedings, the family is left to confront their tumultuous past amidst the quest for closure.
| Article Subheadings |
|---|
| 1) The Heartbreaking Loss of Selonia Reed |
| 2) Investigation Unfolds: A Crime Scene and a Missing Person |
| 3) Suspicion Falls on Reginald Reed Sr. and Jimmy Ray Barnes |
| 4) Decades Later: New Evidence Resurfaces |
| 5) The Trial and Verdict of Reginald Reed Sr. |
The Heartbreaking Loss of Selonia Reed
On the evening of August 22, 1987, a child’s life turned upside down with the tragic murder of Selonia Reed. Her son, Reggie Reed Jr., was only six years old at the time, and the memories of his mother became a blur following that fateful night. Reggie recalls a final sweet moment spent with her, receiving a chocolate chip cookie at the Hammond Square Mall in Louisiana. However, everything else about the night of her disappearance is shadowed in confusion and anguish.
In his memoir, Reggie candidly explores how the shocking news shattered his childhood and forever impacted his relationship with his father. He expresses a deep sense of loss, stating, “I feel like I missed out on a huge part of life that I’ll never get back.” The emotional toll left by his mother’s murder remains a haunting presence in Reggie’s life.
The depth of his love for Selonia and the pain of her absence is palpable as he reflects on their bond. “If someone asks me who is Selonia, I would say you’re looking at her,” Reggie acknowledges, highlighting how she lives on in him through their shared resemblance and memories.
Investigation Unfolds: A Crime Scene and a Missing Person
The aftermath of Selonia’s murder ignited a complex investigation led by local law enforcement. Charles Muse, a police officer who discovered her body, remembered the grim details vividly. He found Selonia’s body in her car, with multiple stab wounds indicating a brutal attack. Police found that her torso had been positioned in the backseat, a detail that raised questions about where the murder occurred.
Lieutenant Barry Ward, who would later be assigned to the cold case, noted the absence of blood at the crime scene. “It would suggest that she was murdered in another location,” he stated, indicating potential foul play and a premeditated effort to hide evidence.
As detectives pieced together the crime scene, clues pointed to a possible connection involving Selonia’s personal life and her relationships. Initial interviews revealed that she left her son at home with her husband, Reginald Reed Sr., while she went out. However, discrepancies in Reginald’s statements raised red flags, as he later suggested Selonia may have been with another man, despite evidence against that claim.
The investigation entailed a thorough examination of the family home, uncovering details like a strong bleach odor and freshly cleaned carpet, which further complicated the narrative surrounding the events that led to Selonia’s death.
Suspicion Falls on Reginald Reed Sr. and Jimmy Ray Barnes
A significant lead in the investigation emerged when a neighbor reported seeing two men near the market where Selonia’s body was found. The men were later identified as Reginald Reed and his acquaintance, Jimmy Ray Barnes. As police pursued leads connecting Barnes to Selonia’s demise, it came to light that he had a troubling past, including a history of violence.
Despite prevailing suspicions, Reginald denied involvement, and investigators faced difficulties gathering concrete evidence. There were whispers of a tumultuous marriage, with allegations of abuse and a possibility of Selonia planning to leave Reginald, which intensified scrutiny on him. Yet, the lack of definitive physical evidence led to a delay in prosecution. The case remained cold for over three decades.
Decades Later: New Evidence Resurfaces
In 2011, the case was reopened under the guidance of Lieutenant Barry Ward, driven by a renewed desire to seek justice for Selonia’s family. The investigation resurfaced the chilling details of the crime and involved re-examining evidence from the original case.
The turning point arrived when the cigarette butt discovered at the crime scene underwent DNA testing. It did not match Jimmy Ray but pointed to Billy Ray Barnes, Jimmy’s identical twin. This revelation raised questions about the twins’ potential roles in the murder.
Further investigations led to new testimony from Jimmy Ray Barnes, who claimed that Reginald had offered him money to kill Selonia, solidifying suspicions around the Reed patriarch. This new evidence changed the landscape of the case and led authorities to believe they could finally bring justice to Selonia’s family.
The Trial and Verdict of Reginald Reed Sr.
In 2019, after rigorous investigations and the discovery of vital evidence, Reginald Reed Sr. was arrested and charged with the second-degree murder of Selonia Reed. The trial that followed in late 2022 marked a significant moment for Reggie Reed Jr., who had long craved answers about his mother’s fate and the circumstances surrounding her death.
Prosecutor Taylor Anthony emphasized that the state aimed to deliver justice for the horrors inflicted upon Selonia. The case revolved around the intricacies of Reginald’s alleged motives, including life insurance policies he had taken out on Selonia shortly before her death. Reginald’s defense argued the state’s case depended primarily on circumstantial evidence and lacked direct proof of his guilt.
As the trial concluded, the jury deliberated and ultimately found Reginald Reed guilty of second-degree murder, delivering justice after years of uncertainty. Reggie Jr. described the experience as surreal, bearing witness to the conclusion of a chapter from his past while also experiencing the grief of losing his father to imprisonment.
In a heartfelt statement, he remarked, “when he was found guilty, I feel like he died without dying.” The duality of emotions encapsulated the complex familial dynamics at play, as Reggie struggled with reconciling his father’s culpability with the love he felt as a son.
| No. | Key Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | Reggie Reed Jr. lost his mother Selonia in 1987, profoundly impacting his life. |
| 2 | The initial investigation faced complications, leading to a cold case that lasted for decades. |
| 3 | Key evidence, including DNA from a cigarette, revived the investigation in the 2010s. |
| 4 | Reginald Reed Sr. was arrested and faced trial for Selonia’s murder in 2019. |
| 5 | The jury convicted Reginald of second-degree murder in November 2022, delivering long-awaited justice. |
Summary
Despite the painful and convoluted journey towards justice, the conviction of Reginald Reed Sr. for the murder of his wife, Selonia Reed, marks a significant turning point for their son, Reggie Reed Jr.. After decades of unanswered questions, the true narrative of Selonia’s life and tragic death is gradually being revealed. As Reggie continues to grapple with the legacy of his parents and the void left by their past actions, the family hopes that the pursuit of justice can bring them closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What motivated Reggie Reed Jr. to write his memoir about his mother’s murder?
Reggie Reed Jr. wrote his memoir, “The Day My Mother Never Came Home,” to explore his memories of his mother and the impact of her murder on his life. It serves as a cathartic reflection on the pain and loss he experienced growing up without her.
Question: How did the investigation into Selonia Reed’s murder evolve over time?
The investigation encountered challenges initially and went cold for many years. However, new evidence surfaced in the form of DNA testing and witness testimonies in the 2010s, eventually leading to the arrest and trial of Reginald Reed Sr.
Question: What was the outcome of the trial against Reginald Reed Sr.?
In November 2022, Reginald Reed Sr. was found guilty of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Selonia Reed. He has been sentenced to prison, marking a significant moment in the long quest for justice for Selonia’s family.
