Victims Identified In Jay Murder Suicide

October 16, 2014

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of two people involved in an apparent-murder suicide near Jay early Thursday morning.

The Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a shooting at 3771 Nowling Road at 5:56 a.m., and deputies were on scene within three minutes.

Deputies found two deceased individuals – a male and a female – inside the residence. A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said the incident was domestic violence related.

The victims were identified as 41-year old Misty Wright Herring and 43-year old Max Bruce Herring.  According to court records, the two were in the process of getting a divorce.

Misty Herring was a pharmacist as the Duramed Pharmacy in Jay, and was formerly the pharmacist at Flomaton Pharmacy.

The shooting appeared to have occurred sometime during the overnight hours. Misty had two children from a previous marriage.  Lt. Leeland Butcher said the  children were not involved in the shooting and are being cared for by relatives.

Investigators were also seen combing through a truck in the parking lot of the Moore Creek-Mt Carmel Utilities company, a short distance from the scene.  Investigators removed at lease one weapon, a long gun, from the vehicle. The vehicle reportedly belonged to one of the victims.

Nowling Road is just outside the Jay city limits, about a mile south of Jay High School.  The Jay schools were placed on a brief lockdown this morning as deputies responded and began their investigation. The lockdown was lifted after is was determined to be a likely murder-suicide with no other suspect.

The incident remains under investigation.  Further details will be posted as they become available.

Pictured top and inset: An apparent murder suicide was discovered at this home on Nowling Road in Jay. Pictured first two photos  below: Investigators and deputies secure a weapon found in a truck in the parking lot of  the nearby Moore Creek-Mt. Carmel Utilities Company. Pictured bottom: More photos from the scene. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

27 Responses to “Victims Identified In Jay Murder Suicide”

  1. Rolltide6547 on December 5th, 2019 4:07 am

    Very interesting point Wendy. It makes you wonder if there was someone else involved that remained unseen. Misty was a wonder person that will be dearly missed!

  2. wendy booker on October 3rd, 2019 2:51 pm

    This yr makes 5 yrs since that horrible morning when we lost the best sister in law, daughter, mother and wife. Everything written about this isn’t completely true. I believe there are at least 1 more person that should have been questioned in her part of the crime but doesn’t seem to be important. RIP my wonderful angel.

  3. sheri & jimmy force on October 21st, 2014 10:09 pm

    R.I.P. misty, she was a sweet and very caring lady, she didn’t deserve to die.

  4. Samantha Caler on October 21st, 2014 2:23 pm

    Rest in peace misty we all love and miss u misty

  5. marywilliamson on October 19th, 2014 4:51 pm

    Misty u were a very sweet lady u will be missed i can not belive the owner off dermed in jay didnt have enought of recept fpor u to put a wreath on the door of dermed shame on you

  6. Friend on October 18th, 2014 5:35 am

    I can’t sleep at night wondering if he is going to come through my door. He was a friend of mine, they both were, and I was minutes from possibly interacting with him on my way to work. I know he won’t be coming back. I guess its not him that has me so guarded, but what he had become.

  7. Taylor cofield on October 17th, 2014 1:26 pm

    i really feel bad about the kids

  8. Tina Carr on October 17th, 2014 7:52 am

    Thoughts and prayers for the children, family and friends.

    Absolutely right Nikye Cole, no one should ever ignore Domestic Violence signs/warnings. Favor House is here to help Domestic Violence victims and survivors. FAVOR HOUSE provides DV counseling, support groups, Educational Classes on DV and most importantly it provides confidential safe shelter to victims in a DV situation. Favor House does not charge a fee for any of these services. FAVOR HOUSE is located in Escambia & Santa Rosa counties.

  9. Fellow Mourner on October 16th, 2014 10:13 pm

    Actually, they still have their daddy. The man that murdered their mama was their step-father. He took the life of a precious woman from them & the entire community today.

  10. DJSheffield on October 16th, 2014 9:52 pm

    @ Bob’s Brother….Not sure if Max had children or not, but rest assured the boys still have their dad and a wonderful step mom to help mend their lives back together in due time. Please keep them in your prayers for this tragic incident wasn’t something I am sure you’d want your children to see or hear.

  11. Molinoman on October 16th, 2014 9:45 pm

    So sad right here at the holiday season. Feel so bad for those children, so tragic. I sure hope they get a dose of extra love and support from family and friends.

    If need be let William know if there’s anything the community can do to help the children. So we can be made aware.

    My prayers.

  12. Jay on October 16th, 2014 9:25 pm

    That was not the kids father.

  13. perdido fishermen on October 16th, 2014 9:21 pm

    What a selfish thing to do just because someone doesn’t love you anymore. I was married for 20 yrs when my ex left for someone else but it didnt make me want to do this. It was a blessing in disquise because I ended up meeting the true love of my life.

  14. Sharon on October 16th, 2014 6:48 pm

    @Brian and Bob’s Brother, note in the article the children are from a previous marriage. They still have a Daddy!

  15. T Routley on October 16th, 2014 6:10 pm

    The boys still have their dad it was their step-father that did this.

  16. D. Forbes on October 16th, 2014 6:02 pm

    So sorry for the children involved. They will need love and support as they struggle to deal with the loss of their mother. Domestic violence affects all communities. It knows no barriers of income level, demographics, etc…
    Women need support when dealing with these situations as they can quickly turn deadly. If you know someone going through this, advise them to seek counseling from agencies that understand the dynamics involved in families affected by domestic violence. In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties Favor House offers free assistance with counseling and emergency shelter for the family if needed. They can assist them with education and support to decrease outcomes that end in this type of violence. Also, as a community it is important to be there for them and let them know if they are not feeling safe to reach out for help immediately.

  17. Bob's Brother on October 16th, 2014 4:56 pm

    What a horrible way to end things. Problem is, now the kids get to live the rest of their lives without Mommy or Daddy.

  18. Brian Hall on October 16th, 2014 4:00 pm

    Praying for this Family. Prayers said without the Mother in their statement. Daddies are a big part in FAMILIES.

  19. douglas payne on October 16th, 2014 3:25 pm

    Lord jesus comfort the children and family lord for they have to go through a heart broken time like this.

  20. kathy penton on October 16th, 2014 2:22 pm

    Misty was a sweet person. Such a tragic situation for the boys.

  21. JoshuaG on October 16th, 2014 2:12 pm

    Wow. growing up in Jay you hear about stuff like that and think… wow im glad we dont have to worry about that here in Jay Florida. I wonder who it was

  22. Prayers on October 16th, 2014 11:21 am

    My heart is with the kids how can someone be so dang hateful to do something like this im glad the kids are still here but now without a mother they will need a lot of counseling Please be with them with the prayers they need

  23. Nikye Cole on October 16th, 2014 10:35 am

    My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I am so sorry for your loss

  24. Nikye Cole on October 16th, 2014 10:34 am

    Jay is so small you would never think something like this could ever happen in your own backyard. This woman was a great person, she would help anyone with anything she could. This is so devastating, I just cant get it out of my head. As a community we have got to start helping each other. When we see the signs of DV we shouldn’t just ignore it and say not my problem this has nothing to do with me. We have to start acting like a community. We all know each other and yet we act like complete strangers when someone’s in need. This has got to change people. We have to start helping those in need.

  25. newyork2720 on October 16th, 2014 10:26 am

    Such a sad day for out town, Praying for the families effected by this awful situtation.

  26. Kevin S on October 16th, 2014 10:15 am

    Both neighbors and friends. Devastated by the news.

  27. DJSheffield on October 16th, 2014 9:34 am

    With names not release yet…I am not going to say who this was. But this community has been deeply affected and our hearts are beyond broken. Heavenly Father, please show your presence and give comfort to the children, family, and friends of this community.