The past few days have been a happy holiday for many Guilford County residents; however, the Sheriff’s Department had a busy weekend – with deputies spending much of the weekend dealing with conditions created by the intense winds, bitter cold and drunk drivers.

In addition to all that, there were some very sad incidents the department also had to handle.

On Christmas Day, 21-year-old Tatyana Childress was reported as missing by her mother and, on Monday, Dec. 26, she was found dead at 2151 Huffine Mill Road in McLeansville. In that case, no foul play is suspected. However, the department notes that the investigation is still active and officers encourage anyone with information regarding Childress’ death to call Guilford County Sheriff’s Department Detective Duncan at 336-641-5968 or call Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.

That sad occurrence came right on the heels of another very disturbing incident that the department informed county residents about over the Christmas weekend.

The Sheriff’s Department reported that, on Saturday, Dec. 24, at 7:55 p.m., deputies responded to 5725 Riverdale Dr. in Jamestown regarding a homicide.

The department later announced that the suspect – James Michael Stevens – had been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

The two victims’ were Dianna Marshall Stevens and Jacob Werner Derue.

James Stevens is being held in the Guilford County jail in Greensboro without bond for Dianna Stevens, and a $500,000 secured bond for Jacob Derue.

According to the department, this appears to be an isolated incident with no threat to the general public.

Anyone with information regarding the murders is being encouraged to call Guilford County Crime Stoppers at 336- 373-1000 or call Sheriff’s Department Detective J. Allen at 336-641-2799.

 

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