One man faces a first-degree murder charge, while six others are accused of helping after the killing or concealing the death.
RUTHERFORDTON, NC — Seven people have been charged in connection with the death of a missing woman whose remains were found buried at a Rutherford County property, authorities said.
The case began as a search for 30-year-old Jordan Elaine Wishon and became a homicide investigation after detectives found her remains during a June 27 search of a home on Pebbleston Lane in Rutherfordton. Authorities charged Jaydakis Kashaune Hamilton, 25, with first-degree murder and later announced charges against six other people accused of assisting him after Wishon’s death or helping conceal what happened.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said investigators began executing several search warrants after receiving a missing-person report involving Wishon. At about 5:17 a.m. on June 27, detectives searched the Pebbleston Lane property and found human remains buried there. Authorities later identified the remains as Wishon’s. Officials have not publicly released her cause of death or described the evidence that led investigators to Hamilton.
Investigators obtained a first-degree murder warrant for Hamilton on June 28. He was already being held at the Polk County Detention Center on unrelated allegations, including larceny of a motor vehicle, reckless driving and resisting a public officer. The murder charge is an allegation, and court records reviewed in published reports did not indicate that Hamilton had entered a plea in the homicide case.
Authorities announced on July 8 that Christina Sue Hamilton, Stevon Kristoff Wilkerson, Ronald David Gibson, Tiquah Dominique Carter, Alexis Nicole Morgan and Shadrick Deon Hines had been charged with accessory after the fact. Morgan, Gibson, Hines and Wilkerson also face charges related to failing to report or concealing a death, according to reports citing the sheriff’s office and court records.
Christina Hamilton and Carter were arrested June 29 and each received a $250,000 secured bond, authorities said. Morgan was arrested July 6 and received a $350,000 secured bond. Gibson and Hines were arrested July 7 and also received $350,000 secured bonds. Wilkerson, who authorities said had unrelated outstanding warrants, received a $580,000 secured bond.
The sheriff’s office said all seven people remained in custody when the additional charges were announced. Authorities have not released detailed allegations describing what each of the six alleged accessories is accused of doing. An accessory-after-the-fact charge generally alleges assistance following a felony, but it does not by itself accuse the person of committing the underlying killing.
Wishon lived at the property where her remains were found, according to people who knew her and spoke with local news reporters. Family friend Glen Overhulser remembered her as a kind person who helped others. A neighbor, Sharon Parker, said the arrests had shaken residents along a street she had considered quiet and safe for many years.
An obituary said Wishon was from Cliffside and had attended Mayland Community College. She worked as a restaurant server and enjoyed cooking and swimming. She is survived by her daughter, mother, fiancé, stepfather, siblings and other relatives. Her family planned to hold a celebration of her life at a later date.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said its Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case. Authorities have not announced a suspected motive, disclosed the relationship between Wishon and the defendants or said whether additional arrests are expected.
Author note: Last updated July 16, 2026.