Three years ago, on March 15, 2021, at 11:39 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was received by Weakley County Dispatch. The call would forever change one mother’s life.
The call was due to an unresponsive female. The caller stated after leaving home for the weekend, they came back to find a body of a woman of unknown age and that she was not breathing. The female was 24-year-old Desaray Wright of Martin, daughter of Patricia Southerland.
Wright, who was pronounced dead at 12:50 p.m. the same day, had her manner of death listed as “pending investigation” on the death certificate, but over three years after her death, Southerland, who was told that Wright had suffered from a fentanyl overdose initially, is still seeking out answers and justice for her daughter.
The case still remains open today and Southerland attributes that to her persistence in seeking answers to what she says was “a brutal homicide involving more than just one individual.” The details of the case are harrowing for Southerland to recount, but she says that there is a video circulating that may have evidence of what really happened to her daughter.
On March 15, 2021, officers from Martin Police Department were dispatched to 110 Highland Avenue regarding the call to dispatch made by Jerry Crosby regarding an unresponsive female. Weakley County Medical Examiner Rick Workman assisted.
Wright’s toxicology report showed “a potentially toxic combination of drugs.” At the time of her death, she had 4-ANPP, amphetamine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and nor fentanyl in her system. 4-ANPP is a precursor chemical used in the production of fentanyl, according to the toxicology report by Dr. Thomas Deering, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner. The report stated that Wright had a long history of illicit drug use.
The toxicology report stated that Wright was “found dead in her bed at a residence that was not her own,” further stating that Wright’s body was found by the occupants when they returned. According to residents at the home, Wright was last seen by them the Saturday prior between 1-3 p.m. The residents stated that they left Saturday afternoon and returned at a later date.
After reviewing crime scene photographs, as well as investigator notes, Wright was found “nude, supine and with her arms and hands above her head and her legs spread in a “V” pattern underneath the covers,” according to the toxicology report.
The residents further stated that Wright did not reside there but had asked them if she could stay there. The residents stated that they were unaware if she had company over while they were gone.
The autopsy examination revealed no significant trauma and no x-rays were taken. Southerland said she requested x-rays to be taken of her daughter, but none were taken.
“In my opinion, the best cause of death is acute combined multiple drug intoxication. The manner of death is accident,” Deering stated.
The cause of Wright’s death was listed as “acute combined multiple drug intoxication (fentanyl, methamphetamine, morphine),” according to the Medical Examiner report, signed by Deering.
Southerland, however, has been convinced for the past three years that her daughter’s death was no accident.
“Although my daughter had issues with drugs in the past, she had been getting better and staying away from the people she used to hang out with,” Southerland stated.
Southerland’s frustration with the investigation prompted her to start doing her own research and that’s what she’s been doing for the past three years.
In April of 2022 Southerland filed a civil suit with the Weakley County Circuit Court naming two people, as well as “John Does 1-20” for the wrongful death of Wright, however that suit still hangs in limbo as the people named in the suit have not been able to be served.
In the suit, John Does 1-20 refer to any unknown persons, firms, corporations or other entities who contributed to Wright’s death or other damages listed in Southerland’s petition.
“On March 13, 2021, Mrs. Southerland tried to contact her daughter, but was unable to reach her. So, she started driving around the town of Martin looking for her. By chance, she drove past one of the accused homes and saw men putting boxes into a van. Unbeknownst to her, Desaray was lying dead inside the house,” according to the petition.
“Because of the drugs found in Wright’s system, that one could infer that illegal activity was going on inside the house she died in, making it a “proverbial crack house,” Southerland states in the petition.
The petition clarifies that it’s common for drug dealers to cut controlled substances with fentanyl, a deadly opiate and it’s believed that the accused provided Wright with methamphetamine laced with fentanyl, causing her death.
“While Wright was high, she was unable to consent to sexual activity, and Wright was assaulted by the accused and that one or more of her bones was broken as a result,” Southerland further stated in the petition.
Negligence, gross negligence, negligence per se, assault and battery, wrongful death and civil conspiracy were the causes of action listed in the petition.
“The accused knowing the effects of fentanyl and giving it anyway, exploiting Wright sexually and causing her wrongful death,” were listed as a reasoning in Southerland’s petition.
Relief in the amount of $10,000 for compensatory damages, $40,000 in punitive damages as well as any attorney and court fees are the amounts Southerland is seeking from filing the petition.
In 2022, Chief of Police Don Teal stated, “The Desaray Wright case is still an open case with the Martin Police Department. We are still checking any leads that we receive in an attempt to solve this open case. We will continue to be diligent in these efforts until there is an absolute conclusion. We need solid information and intelligence in regard to this incident. If anyone in the public has information about this incident, please contact the Martin Police Department at (731) 587-5355 or you may call through Crime Stoppers at (731) 587-2611 if you would like to remain anonymous.”
According to Southerland, the case still remains open to this day and she is still trying to find answers. Southerland hopes that a reward for the video containing evidence of what happened to her daughter will be enough for someone to come forward. A reward in the amount of $2,500 is being offered for any evidence leading to a conviction in the case of Wright’s death. Southerland said that this can be anonymous and the reward money can be placed on a prepaid card, cash or credit card. Anyone with information regarding the video should contact Southerland at 731-514-4521 or by email at patriciasoutherland73@yahoo.com.