Mississippi Mother Facing Felony Charges After Remains of Missing 20-Year-Old Daughter Discovered in Bedroom Closet

Cynthia Clemons arrested in Southaven, MS, after the remains of her 20-year-old daughter with Down syndrome were found hidden in an apartment closet.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 20, 2026, 3:45 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PEOPLE

A Welfare Check Leading to a Grim Discovery

The search for a missing young woman ended in tragedy this week when investigators in DeSoto County uncovered remains inside a Southaven apartment. The investigation began on the morning of Tuesday, March 17, when the brother of 20-year-old Mykryra Clemons contacted the Sheriff's Office to request a welfare check. According to family members, Mykryra—who had special needs and required consistent care—had not been seen by her siblings or father for approximately two months. While an initial search of the residence on Tuesday night yielded no results, a secondary search conducted Wednesday morning led deputies to a concealed location within the mother’s bedroom.

Allegations of Deception and Concealment

As detectives probed the disappearance, they reportedly encountered conflicting narratives regarding Mykryra’s whereabouts. Family members allege that whenever questions were raised about the 20-year-old, the mother, Cynthia Clemons, claimed her daughter was staying with another family that also cared for a child with Down syndrome. The breakthrough in the case came from Mykryra's brother, who reportedly observed a suspicious object resembling a body bag inside a closet while passing his mother's open bedroom door. This observation prompted the urgent call to authorities and the subsequent execution of a search warrant that uncovered the remains.

Formal Charges Filed for Abuse and Evidence Tampering

Following the discovery, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office arrested 40-year-old Cynthia Clemons. She is currently facing charges of abuse of a vulnerable adult and tampering with physical evidence. The specific nature of the abuse and the exact timeline of the victim's death remain under active investigation by forensic specialists. Prosecutors noted that the tampering charge stems from the alleged concealment of the remains within the residence for an extended period. While these are the initial charges, law enforcement officials have indicated that further counts may be added as the autopsy results and forensic evidence are finalized.