Divorce Papers Found Near Body

"HATTIESBURG, MS — Forrest County sheriff's deputies began to unravel details early Wednesday of events before and after the slaying of a Rawls Springs woman they believe was killed earlier this week by her husband.

"Sheriff Billy McGee said Rosmond Lay, 31, shot his wife, Andrea Lay, 27, once in the head and then drove some 100 miles to Greene County, Ala., where he took his own life.

"McGee said divorce papers drawn up by Andrea Lay may have prompted her husband to kill her. McGee said Rosmond Lay was served with divorce papers a day before he allegedly shot his wife.

"`This is one of those crimes that law enforcement has very little effect on as far as prevention is concerned,` McGee said. `His mother said that he had some problems with depression in the past. He was thoughtful enough that he took (their) 3-year-old child to his mother's house.`

"Attendants at an Alabama rest stop found Rosmond Lay dead after he was spotted there inside his wife's car. He had been seen at the rest stop as early as 10 a.m. Tuesday. By midnight he was reported dead, McGee said.

"`The attendant noticed last night that he was laid back in the seat with the pistol still in his hand,` McGee said. `It appeared that he committed suicide.`

"McGee said Rosmond Lay appeared to have died of a gunshot wound to the head. He said Lay did not have a criminal record.

"Investigators began an intense search for Lay after they found his wife's body in the kitchen of their home at 108 Valley Drive on Tuesday morning.

"Andrea Lay was found after co-workers at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans reported her missing to family members. Investigators believe she had been dead at least a day.

"Deputies discovered Andrea Lay partially burned - an indication Rosmond Lay attempted to cover up the slaying, they said.

"Investigators also said divorce papers were found near her body."

From clarionledger.com...