Former Rep. Ashley Henley shot to death Sunday

A former state representative was found dead in Yalobusha County Sunday night in an apparent homicide, authorities say.

Ashley Henley, 40, was shot and killed while mowing the grass outside the trailer where her sister-in-law, Kristina Jones, was killed in a fire last December.  Yalobusha County deputies discovered Henley’s body around 10 p.m. Sunday.

Yalobusha Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and other agencies are investigating Henley’s death as a homicide.

The case surrounding Jones’ death on Dec. 27 is also being re-examined, Mississippi Today reports, and homicide has not been ruled out.

Henley, a Republican, served as representative of District 40 in DeSoto County from 2016-2020.  Authorities say that at this time there is no reason to believe her murder was related to her service in the Legislature.