On Tuesday, September 26, a young Texas man was placed under arrest after acknowledging a violent encounter with a high school student. The event unfolded in Tyler, Texas. Dejah Hood, an 18-year-old student from John Tyler High School, became the unfortunate victim of Jamaurea Jermaine Britton, aged 19.
Sources have revealed that on the night prior to the incident Hood had spent time with friends, with Britton being one of them. Alarms were raised when Hood remained unaccounted for and was not available on her phone. When local law enforcement arrived at Britton’s residence to inquire about Hood’s whereabouts around 1 pm on Tuesday, they identified blood remnants. Their further search culminated in locating Hood’s concealed body behind the Hollytree Apartments, wrapped in trash bags, adhesive tape, and a bedsheet.
The arrest warrant provides an in-depth account of the series of events. Britton said that he had invited Hood and a one-year-old child she was taking care of to his home to assist him with packing. While at his place, Hood’s playful gesture of pulling his ear, a gesture reminiscent of his former girlfriend, led to an escalation in Britton’s emotions. He hit Hood over the head with a glass bottle, punched and strangled her and then used a hammer. The assault was so severe that the hammer’s wooden handle shattered.
During this incident, a nearby resident, having become aware of the commotion, approached Britton’s home. After temporarily hiding Hood, Britton reassured the neighbor. After the neighbor left, Britton shifted his attention to the toddler, ensuring the child was safe and subsequently returning the child to Hood’s mother.
Later, when Britton discerned Hood was still alive, he stabbed her multiple times. Early in the morning at around 3 AM, Hood’s body was moved from the residence, discarded beyond a fence, and later concealed with natural debris.
The arrest warrant further stipulates that Britton’s charges encompass both murder and issuing a terroristic threat towards a family or household. He is currently in the custody of Smith County Jail, with his bail set at a substantial $1.05 million.
