Father Pretended to Search for His Missing Daughter, Now He’s Facing Murder Charges

Nationwide — Darnell Jones publicly pleaded for help finding his missing daughter, Kei’Mani Latigue, but he soon became the prime suspect in her murder. Latigue, just days from turning 14, disappeared from her Toledo, Ohio home on March 18th. Her body was found the next day in a burned, vacant house.

Jones, also known as Darnell Jerome Ogletree, was the last person seen with Latigue, as reported by 13ABC. He spoke to the news, claiming they were at the house because his daughter feared someone was trying to break in. But police found his statements inconsistent. On March 23rd, a warrant was issued for Jones’ arrest on suspicion of abduction.

The next day, authorities found Latigue’s body in a burned abandoned house, leading to upgraded charges of murder. An autopsy revealed the teen had been raped and brutally killed with her hands cut off, and her throat nearly severed.

Surveillance efforts tracked Jones to Columbus, Ohio, on March 25th. When SWAT officers approached him, Jones pulled a gun and exchanged fire with the officers. He was shot multiple times and rushed to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

Jones, 33, now faces additional charges and is set to appear in court. The investigation into the motive behind the gruesome murder is still ongoing.