Anonymous Tipster Blames Self in Death of Rexdale Henry

Still visibly distraught, an anonymous tipster blames their self for the death of Rexdale Henry.

"I called in a tip to the police about Rexdale, and maybe had I not done that, he would still be here."

Between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm on July 9th, the day Rexdale was arrested, she ran into Rexdale as she was getting ready to visit her Chiropractor, Doctor Hancock, in Philadelphia.

"I parked my car at the Dollar Store across from Jerome Tanks, when Rexdale pulled up beside me.  He let his window down and said, "I like that."  When I ask what he was referring to, he pointed at the Dream catcher hanging from my rear view mirror."

She alleges that as they talked a little more she noticed that his words seemed a little slurred, and he had an open beer can between his legs.

"When he pulled off he headed toward the direction of downtown Philadelphia.  Had he went toward his home in Bogue Chitto I probably would not have called, but since he was headed into town I was afraid he might get into and accident and hurt himself or someone else so I called the police."

"I feel like he would still be here if I had not made that phone call.  Maybe if he had been rude or ugly to me, I would feel different, but he wasn't; he was really nice, and laughing and enjoying life."

THE SUSPECTS

     SHONDRA MAY....THE SUSPECTS

When Shondra May disappeared on February 4, 1986 Law Enforcement thought she was most likely a run-away so they told her family she would probably be back in a few days, but the family knew Shondra and knew there was no way she had run away.

Shondra's mother, sick with cancer, was always concerned about Shondra, and always had Shondra call home before she left work.  

This night was no different.  Shondra called her mother to let her know she was leaving work at 7:40, going by TG&Y to pick up a Valentine card for her boyfriend, Tony Adams, and then heading to the house.  It was around a 15-minute drive home so when 8:30 rolled around and Shondra had not come home, her mother Nell began to worry.  

22 days later, on Shondra's 18th birthday, her naked, hogtied, lifeless body, was found floating in Baker's Creek in Bolton, MS by an off-duty fireman, who happened to be fishing in the area.  

One of the first suspects was William Kenneth McLain, who put the spotlight on himself by inserting himself into the investigation.  A tactic commonly used by serial killers.

Not only was McLain known to Shondra May, but he was also implicated in several other cases, including one in Tuscaloosa Alabama involving the death of Chandra Fehler.

Eerily similar in MO (Mode of Operation) Alabama detectives came to Mississippi to further investigate. 

 Chandra Fehler, a Kindergarten teacher, was a 24-year-old graduate student at the University of Alabama, and was last seen at at the former Riverside swimming pool that was also frequented by William Kenneth McLain.  

Like Shondra May, Chandra Fehler's car door was left ajar.  Her car was found around 200 yards from the pool and her ID and towel lay on the car seat and the interior light of the car was on.  That was June 10th, 1987, the last time Chandra's family would hear her voice.

Four days later Chandra Fehler's cold, lifeless body, hands and feet bound by wire, and weighted down by a concrete block, was found washed ashore by a fisherman who was fishing on the Black Warrior River, which makes me think of The Big Black River which flows close to Baker's Creek. 

Could the similar name of a victim and the similar name of a river, trigger the desire to kill again?

Not so fast.... Kenneth McLain is NOT the only suspect and quite possibly not the guilty party in either murder.  

He may have adored her from afar.  

SUSPECT NUBMER 4, WILLIE MCCURDY CLEARED.

 Many people from Scott County have long suspected Willie McCurdy of being involved in the death of Shondra May.

However, Willie McCurdy, has done everything possible to clear his name.  

Investigator, Michael Frazier, along with investigator Jerry McNeece, of Old Dogs Fresh Eyes, did an informal interview with Mr. McCurdy, trying to get his opinions on what happened or who was involved.

"He would answer questions, but was very reluctant, states Michael, "and I can understand why.  He felt like his reputation was destroyed by this cloud following him all of his life."

"McCurdy gave DNA, Polygraphs, etc... He didn't run from anything we asked of him."

"We also interviewed former deputies who were working during that time,  and one stated that McCurdy helped them look for Shondra all night, and that Willie is innocent.    

  Nothing in this investigation has given any indication that Willie Poe McCurdy had anything to do with the death of Shondra May, but rather that he,  along with many other law enforcement officials, diligently tried to solve this case.