New suspect in custody for Waterson murder
OXFORD WEEKLY PLANET
Monday, September 11, 2023
YCSD arrests new suspect in Ole Miss instructor murder
University of Mississippi student Weldon Foyle, 27, was arrested just over an hour ago in connection with the murder of Ole Miss instructor Kristi Waterson. No charges have been filed yet, although unnamed sources indicate that Foyle will likely be charged with first-degree murder.
The Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department would not comment on the specific evidence that led to Foyle's arrest. However, the department's Public Information Officer, Elizabeth Jones, made a brief statement.
"An arrest has been made in the murder investigation of Kristi Waterson. This has been a long, arduous investigation, and the tremendous efforts of law enforcement have served the people of Yoknapatawpha County well. While nothing can assuage the pain of the Waterson family, we hope that closing this case will bring some closure and resolution to their grieving process."
Foyle is a business student at the University of Mississippi. Originally from Kentucky, Foyle was known to his professors as an extremely hard-working student who paid his own tuition and living costs. Foyle is reported to have held as many as five jobs at a time while maintaining full-time coursework at Ole Miss.
PIO Jones refused to offer any details of a possible motive linking Foyle to Waterson's murder.
"Since this case will be heading to the courts soon, I cannot discuss the particulars. However, we are extremely confident in our police work, and we feel that we are handing the District Attorney a very solid set of facts."
On August 27, Kristi Waterson was found dead at her apartment in Oxford. After Waterson's death was announced, rumor and innuendo swirled on campus as students and teachers alike discussed alleged improper relationships Waterson maintained with her students.
The victim's parents, Michael and Virginia Waterson of Biloxi, offered a $75,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer. There have been no indications as to whether the potential for reward money played a part in this investigation. Sheriff's department officials refused to say if the arrest resulted from an informant's assistance.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
