Benjamin Price Homicide Investigation: Unexpected Departure
Authorities in Copiah County, Mississippi, have launched a homicide investigation following the discovery of 39-year-old Benjamin Price, who was found fatally shot behind a home on Johnsons Lane in Hazlehurst. What began as an ordinary visit by a family member quickly turned into a devastating scene that has left the community shaken and searching for answers.
According to the Copiah County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called to the 1000 block of Johnsons Lane shortly before 11:40 a.m. on Monday after a relative discovered an unresponsive man behind a residence. When emergency responders arrived, they found Benjamin Price lying in the grass with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Despite immediate medical response, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff Byron Swilley confirmed that investigators are treating the case as a homicide. He described the situation as deeply troubling and emphasized that detectives are actively working to determine how and why Price was killed. At this stage, no suspect has been identified and no arrests have been made.
The quiet rural road, typically known for its calm residential atmosphere, was quickly overtaken by law enforcement activity. Crime scene tape surrounded the property as investigators and forensic teams carefully collected evidence in hopes of reconstructing what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting.
News of Price’s death has left friends, neighbors, and family members in shock. Many described him as a familiar and friendly presence in the Hazlehurst area, someone known for his willingness to help others. His sudden and violent death has been difficult for those who knew him to comprehend, especially given the absence of any clear motive at this time.
Investigators are currently interviewing relatives, neighbors, and anyone who may have had contact with Price in the days before his death. They are also reviewing any available surveillance footage from nearby properties. One key focus is establishing a timeline of his final hours and determining whether he arrived at the location voluntarily or was brought there under unknown circumstances.
An autopsy will be conducted at the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory to confirm the exact cause of death and provide additional forensic details that may assist the investigation, including ballistic and toxicology findings.
For now, Johnsons Lane remains at the center of a painful and unfolding mystery. Authorities are urging anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward as the search for answers continues and a grieving community awaits justice for Benjamin Price.