The family of a woman who was found murdered at a secluded mobile home on a dirt road in Newton County on Tuesday has started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help them with funeral expenses.
According to a press release from Newton County Sheriff Joedy Pennington on Wednesday, Dr. Char'dae Knowlin, 36, was found at a mobile home in the 1700 block of Ledlow Road, a dirt road that runs between Hwy. 15 just south of Decatur to near Hickory on Hwy. 503.
Newton County Coroner Rebecca Burton said the cause of death will not be determined until after an autopsy report is completed.
“She was last seen alive on Saturday,” Burton said. “We believe that she passed away some time on Saturday afternoon or Saturday night. The cause of death is still under investigation.”
Burton said that she was contacted by her immediate family, which lives out of the area, and they started the fundraiser to help give her a proper funeral. The fundraiser can be found on GoFundMe’s website under the title “A Beautiful Soul Gone to Soon.”
“Ms. Knowlin had just gotten her doctorate from Mississippi State University,” Burton said. “She had a lot of friends around this area, and the family wants to do a proper service to honor her.”
According to the web page that was started by her mother, Delta Velez, “Dr.Knowlin dedicated her life to her studies. She was a very determined young lady, so much so that she was able to achieve a doctorate in clinical studies on May 21, 2023. Dr. Knowlin truly made the world a better place through her genuine love for humanity.
“As her mother, I have started this gofundme to help cover the cost of funeral expenses. Our family was not prepared for the high cost of a funeral, and during this difficult time, we are reaching out to the community for help.”
Investigation still ongoing
Sheriff Joedy Pennington said in a text that they are still looking for the suspect as of Thursday morning.
Yesterday, the sheriff’s office announced that Roderick Tyrone Moss, 48, was a person of interest in the case. Pennington said in that release that Moss will be charged with capital murder. Moss was listed at 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds.
“If come into contact with Moss do not approach call 911. Moss is considered armed and dangerous,” the release stated.
On Tuesday, May 30, deputies performed a welfare check at the victim’s residence at 1700 block of Ledlow Road in Newton County. After making entry to the house, she was found dead. The investigation led to the identification of Moss as a person of interest in this case and were able to confirm that one of Knowlin’s vehicles was missing.
Around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Heidelberg Police Dept made a traffic stop on the missing vehicle and was able to take one person into custody but was not Moss. Around 1 a.m. Wednesday, Jasper County and Newton County Sheriff Department searched three separate residences in Jasper County and were unable to locate Moss.
If you have any information on Roderick Tyrone Moss, please contact Newton County Sheriff Office 601-635-2101 or 601-635-4401.
