In a gripping exploration of tragedy and unresolved questions, the story of Reginald Reed Jr. brings to light the mystery surrounding the murder of his mother, Selonia Reed, nearly four decades ago. After being found in her vehicle in Hammond, Louisiana, in 1987, Selonia’s case remained largely unsolved for years, until new evidence reopened the investigation and led to shocking revelations about her husband, Reginald Reed Sr.. As Reggie grapples with the truth about his father’s involvement, he reflects on his childhood memories and the long-lasting impact of this family tragedy.
| Article Subheadings |
|---|
| 1) The Discovery of a Tragedy |
| 2) Investigating the Suspects |
| 3) Revelations After Years of Silence |
| 4) The Trial and Its Aftermath |
| 5) A Son’s Internal Struggle |
The Discovery of a Tragedy
On a sweltering summer day in August 1987, the community of Hammond, Louisiana, was shaken to its core when the body of Selonia Reed, a 26-year-old bank teller and mother, was discovered in her blue Chevy Sprint. Her life had been cut tragically short, leaving behind a six-year-old son, Reginald Reed Jr., who could barely comprehend the enormity of his loss. The police arrived at a parking area situated just one-and-a-half miles from the Reed family’s home, where they found Selonia’s body, brutally bludgeoned and stabbed multiple times.
As investigators arrived at the scene, they noted signs of sexual assault, amplifying the horror of the discovery. The last moments Reggie could recall were warm memories of his mother buying him a chocolate chip cookie at the local mall and bidding him farewell. Everything else that night was a blur in young Reggie’s mind, a tragic precursor to the painful journey that lay ahead in search of answers.
Investigating the Suspects
The initial investigation pointed toward Selonia’s husband, Reginald Reed Sr., who reported her missing shortly before her body was found. He claimed that Selonia had gone out with a girlfriend the night before, although that friend later stated the two had no such plans. As police delved deeper, testimonies began to emerge from family members revealing abuse and threats of divorce, leading investigators to suspect Reed Sr. could be involved in his wife’s murder.
Despite the substantial evidence against him, young Reggie was oblivious to the suspicion surrounding his father. At six years old, he was subjected to questioning by the police, with his father present during the interviews. A videotaped session shows him crying for his “mommy” and “daddy,” desperately reassuring police that they had spent the night together playing video games. This innocent portrayal of familial bonding unknowingly cast his father as an alibi, perpetuating a cycle of unanswered questions for years to come.
Revelations After Years of Silence
Decades passed, and the true nature of the investigation lay dormant. That was until 2012 when Reggie, now a college graduate and working in pharmaceuticals, was approached by a Texas Ranger who revealed shocking news. The investigation had been reopened, and his father had emerged as the primary suspect. Reggie found himself grappling with a torrent of emotions—confusion, disbelief, and a longing for clarity.
As the new lead investigator, Lt. Barry Ward of the Louisiana State Police, delved into the case, fresh evidence came to light. Over the years, he gathered enough information and witness testimonies that sustained the prosecutors’ case. This culminated in the indictment of both Reginald Reed Sr. and an alleged accomplice, Jimmy Ray Barnes, for second-degree murder. Barnes, in exchange for a lighter sentence, agreed to testify against Reed Sr., further fueling the unraveling of this tragic tale.
The Trial and Its Aftermath
In November 2022, the murder trial for Reginald Reed Sr. concluded with a guilty verdict for second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison, solidifying a haunting chapter in the Reed family saga. Details of the investigation showed that police believed Selonia was likely murdered in the couple’s bedroom while Reggie slept nearby. Reginald, as per the investigation, later transferred her body into her vehicle and drove it to the location where it was ultimately discovered.
During the trial, Barnes testified that he had met Reed at the crime scene and saw him with Selonia’s body, confirming law enforcement’s suspicions. The courtroom drama echoed the raw pain of a son who had inadvertently become tangled in a web of betrayal and loss. For Reggie, the reality of his father’s conviction brought forth an existential dilemma—was he meant to reconcile the father he knew with the actions that placed him behind bars?
A Son’s Internal Struggle
As the dust began to settle on this familial storm, Reggie found himself in a profound internal tug-of-war. He wants justice for his mother’s murder but grapples painfully with the ramifications of his father’s conviction.
“I want justice, but I didn’t think justice was gonna come at the price of my dad going to prison for life,”
Reggie expressed during an interview, showcasing the complex emotions of a son caught in a tragic narrative.
He openly questioned his father’s involvement, admitting uncertainty about whether Reed Sr. was directly responsible for Selonia’s death or if he had merely played a role in facilitating the tragedy. This trauma left Reggie at odds with his childhood memories and the father figure he remembered as loving and nurturing, a man who supported him through private schooling and shaped him into the person he is today.
Expressing his struggle to equate his father’s love with the heinous act committed against his mother, he stated,
“Just knowing the type of father he is, I can’t just turn a page and just look at my father as a complete monster.”
This emotional dichotomy presents a stark reminder of the complexities and fractal nature of familial relationships, particularly when faced with unthinkable circumstances.
| No. | Key Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | Selonia Reed’s body was discovered in her car in August 1987, revealing foul play. |
| 2 | Selonia’s husband, Reginald Reed Sr., was suspected due to inconsistencies in his alibi. |
| 3 | The investigation was reopened in 2012, revealing new evidence against Reginald Reed Sr. |
| 4 | Reginald Reed Sr. was convicted of second-degree murder in November 2022. |
| 5 | Reggie grapples with the conflicting emotions regarding his father’s conviction. |
Summary
The unfolding story of Reginald Reed Jr. and the murder of his mother, Selonia Reed, presents a harrowing dive into the effects of familial relationships following violence. As Reggie navigates his complex feelings about his father’s conviction, the case illuminates broader themes of loss, justice, and the long-reaching ramifications of tragedy on a child’s understanding of love and betrayal. With the conviction of Reginald Reed Sr., the Reed family turns another page in the pursuit of closure, albeit with profound sorrow still echoing in their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What happened to Selonia Reed?
Selonia Reed was found murdered in her vehicle in 1987, prompting a lengthy investigation that ultimately implicated her husband in the crime.
Question: When was Reginald Reed Sr. convicted?
Reginald Reed Sr. was convicted of second-degree murder in November 2022, decades after his wife’s death.
Question: How does Reggie feel about his father’s conviction?
Reggie struggles with conflicting emotions about his father’s guilt and the impact of the conviction on his life, expressing a desire for justice while being conflicted about his father’s role.
