UPDATE: Livingston Police Department Releases More Details on Deceased Woman Found in Local Parking Lot. The Following Press Release from LPD was Released on October 19, 2012:
On October 18, 2012, at approximately 8:20 am, the Livingston Police Department was contacted by Margaret Burgess. Margaret advised that her daughter, Jessica Lynn Burgess, 26, of Wichita Falls, was missing and that she had filed a report with the Wichita Falls Police Department. Margaret Burgess advised that she had traced Jessica's cell phone to the Livingston area and gave officers possible locations of the phone. The Livingston Police Department began an investigation into Jessica's whereabouts. Officers continued to search for Jessica throughout the day checking locations throughout the City of Livingston and Polk County.
On that same day at approximately 5:27 pm, the LPD was again contacted by Margaret Burgess stating that she had located Jessica and her vehicle in a parking lot at 1620 West Church Street in Livingston. Officers were dispatched to Mrs. Burgess' location. When Officers arrived, the discovered a white female who was deceased in the back seat of a Chevy Cobalt. Officers secured the scene and contacted supervisors and detectives to continue the investigation.
Officers were able to positively identify the deceased female as Jessica Lynn Burgess and the car as belonging to Burgess.
Preliminary investigation into the cause of Burgess' death at the scene showed no immediate signs of foul play. According to immediate family members, Burgess had numerous health issues which could have contributed to her death. Under the circumstances that Jessica Burgess was discovered, it is common for the Livingston Police Department to perform a thorough investigation of the scene and request an autopsy be performed to determine the cause of death. Polk County Justice of the Peace, Darrell Longino performed an inquest and ordered an autopsy be performed by Forensic Medical Management Services of Texas.
Deceased Woman Found in Car in Walmart Parking Lot, LIVINGSTON, October 18, 2012 - At approximately 5:15 pm on October 18, 2012 the Officers and Detectives from the Livingston Police Department were dispatched to the grisly scene of a car in the west end of the Walmart parking lot. Officers arrived the find the body of a deceased woman who had been dead for a long time. According to investigator Leon Middleton, the body was discovered by the mother of the girl whose name is Jessica Lynn Burgess, 26, of Wichita Falls. Burgess was found in the back seat of a Chevy Cobalt. She was reported missing 1 day prior to her discovery (however, evidence suggests that she had been in the car longer than a day). Justice of the Peace Darrell Longino was summoned and performed and inquest at the scene. Burgess' body was transported from the scene by Cochran Funeral Home and taken to Beaumont where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Middleton stated to PolkCountyToday.com that nothing is being ruled out as far as what happened to Burgess. Burgess' vehicle was recovered by a rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
Special thank you: Jenny Hermes
Officers and detectives from Livingston PD investigate a gruesome discovery in a local parking lot.
The body of a 26 year old woman from Wichita Falls was found in this Chevy Cobalt. Evidence suggests she was there for more than a day.
The vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing.
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Be sure to specify which story. Your name will be posted with your comment in Letters to the Editor.
