Body found in Lawrence County believed to be missing Vicksburg woman

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Miss. (VDN) — A missing Vicksburg native, Ladatra Williams, is the possible deceased individual found in a shallow grave. According to Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett, suspect Charles Matthew Sims led authorities to the grave last night after being interviewed for eight hours.

Press Release from Sheriff Everett:

For nearly two months, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been conducting a search for a missing person, Ladatra Williams of Kansas City, Missouri.  

Yesterday, July 14, 2025, after approximately eight hours of interviewing, Charles Matthew Sims of Hooker Road, sent word to me through sheriff’s office personnel, that we would never find L. Williams where we were searching and he would take me to her.  At approximately 2:00 PM, Sims, a deputy sheriff and I entered a wooded area in the southeastern portion of the county. Sims, who has been in custody since Friday, July 11, gave the deputy and me step-by-step details and led us to an area where he claimed to have buried her.  

At approximately 11:30 PM, the LCSO, Lawrence County Coroner’s Office, MBI, MBI’s Crime Scene Unit, the Mississippi State University Police Department Forensic Recovery Unit and the MSU Department of Anthropology exhumed the shallow grave and recovered a deceased female.  DNA testing will be utilized in the very near future to make a positive identification. 

Thank you to each and every agency already mentioned and to the Lawrence County EMA, and the Lawrence County Fire Service for providing extra support such as drinks, lighting, and assisting with equipment.  Please remember the Williams family in your prayers as they deal with this senseless tragedy.