Defendant Faces Up to 40 years
in prison for murder of missing man
June 17, 2026
(Jackson, MS) – ) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced that 26-year-old Jordan Thurmond was found guilty of Second-Degree Murder in the shooting death of 29-year-old Dan Belton.
The case began on September 19, 2023, when a woman arrived at the Jackson Police Department to report her boyfriend, Dan Belton, missing. She told investigators that Belton had not been seen since September 16, 2023, and that the last time she saw him, he left with Justin Thurmond, Jordan Thurmond’s uncle.
While speaking with investigators, Belton’s girlfriend provided a series of messages she had received from Justin Thurmond. The messages indicated that Jordan Thurmond had shot Belton in West Jackson and that Belton’s body would be located in the river near Old Highway 49 East in Rankin County. The messages further suggested that efforts had been made to conceal the crime by disposing of Belton’s cellphone along with burning his clothing and personal belongings. Investigators responded to the area and recovered Belton’s body from the location referenced in the messages. Belton sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
On September 23, 2023, Jordan Thurmond turned himself in to law enforcement and provided a statement to detectives. During the interview, Thurmond admitted to shooting Belton during an encounter inside a vehicle and confirmed details of the events that led investigators to Belton’s body.
Thurmond was found guilty of Second-Degree Murder. He faces up to 40 years in prison to be served in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Sentencing is scheduled for June 29th, 2026.
“What began as a missing person investigation ended with the recovery of a murder victim and a family forced to confront an unimaginable loss,” said District Attorney Owens. “Today’s verdict ensures that the man responsible for unjustifiably taking the life of Mr. Belton will likely spend the most significant years of his life in prison.
Man found guilty of second-degree murder, faces up to 40 years in connection with 2023 shooting
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JODY E. OWENS, II
