Miss Jackson (WLBT) – Years after the body of a Mississippi lady was discovered in Louisiana, a woman has now been found guilty and given a sentence.
Celeste McDonald’s body was found by authorities in a marshy region close to Mound, Louisiana, on April 1, 2019.
The previous day, McDonald was reported missing in Mississippi.
Following an investigation by the Jackson Police Department, Ryan Christopher Hopkins and Yolanda Torns were taken into custody and accused of killing McDonald.
In her sworn evidence, Torns stated that McDonald had accused Hopkins of sexual assault before the murder.
Torns and Hopkins tried to get McDonald to back down from her accusation on the day of the murder.
Hopkins is accused of killing McDonald by slitting her throat when she refused. After that, Torns helped Hopkins get rid of the body in Louisiana.
In an additional attempt to hide their misdeeds, Hopkins and Torns tied the knot that day to prevent being forced to testify against each other.
Torns and Hopkins are no longer together.
Torns received a sentence of 40 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, of which 15 years were suspended and 25 years had to be served. Five years of post-release monitoring were then required.
Torns’ sentencing is conditioned on her continuing to assist the State in the prosecution of Hopkins, including providing accurate testimony during the trial.
Hopkins was extradited to Mississippi last month and is currently being held by the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department while he awaits trial.
