Prosecution is next step in Tyler murder case after suspect, grandparents arrested

Published 10:00 am Friday, January 24, 2025

After being on the run for over two weeks, authorities arrested a man they say shot and killed a 26-year-old woman earlier this month in Tyler. His grandparents were also arrested after he was located at their Tyler home.

Jorian Jackson, 29, of Plano, is in the Smith County Jail after being arrested Wednesday afternoon in Tyler. He is accused in the murder of Cheyenne Russell, a Nacogdoches woman who was found shot to death Jan. 6 in a Tyler apartment on Bellwood Lake Road.

A number of agencies were working together to locate Jackson and police were consistently communicating with local media to encourage the public to report any information about his location. The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, including the Waco-area unit, joined the search Jackson on Jan. 7. While tracking him, they saw video footage of him at a Motel 6 in Waco, according to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh.

Authorities couldn’t locate him at the motel but it was his last known location until Wednesday, when he was found at his grandparents’ home on State Highway 31 in Tyler.

Investigators were following up on a search warrant for evidence of the homicide case at Jackson’s grandparents’ house when they discovered him on the property. He was arrested around 2:45 p.m. that afternoon without any problems, Erbaugh said, and later booked into the county jail where he remains on a $1 million bond.

Police said late Wednesday evening it was possible the grandparents would face charges for their role in keeping Jackson from law enforcement. On Thursday morning, police confirmed the couple was arrested.

Willie and Carolyn Johnson, both 75, of Tyler, each face a hindering apprehension felony charge. A $50,000 bond was set for each but were not booked into jail due to health reasons, police said. The charges will be presented to a grand jury for potential indictments to come down.

A person is charged with this third-degree felony if police believe they knowingly hindered apprehension of someone who is charged with a felony. If found guilty, the Johnsons could each spend two to 10 years in prison, according to the Texas Penal Code.

Tyler police investigators are pleased to see the manhunt come to a conclusion, Erbaugh said.

“You work hard for the family, and you work hard for the victim, and you want to get these things concluded,” Erbaugh said. “So whenever you can make an arrest and it’s a peaceful arrest, and you can get that person who now will face prosecution in the courts,” it’s the desired outcome, he added.

Russell was a mother of two children, including one of Jackson’s. The children, ages 3 and 4, respectively, are safe with other family members at this time, police said.

The young mother was known as a bright spot in her loved ones’ lives. Over $21,000 was raised through a GoFundMe to support her family and help them deal with the financial expenses associated with her tragic death.

Russell’s parents said in previous interviews that she had been on the run from Jackson, as he had allegedly been physically abusive to her in the past. The victim’s parents hope more light can be shed on the dangers of domestic violence and victims can learn of local resources available to them.

Russell’s parents said in an interview with CBS19 that Jackson had a history of harming their daughter. They said she was in the process of filing for a protective order against Jackson.

Despite their best efforts to shield Russell’s children from the growing tension, Jennifer told CBS19 she couldn’t help but feel a heavy sense of dread as things began to spiral out of control.

“For the sake of the kids, we never thought he would take it this far,” the mother told CBS19. “He has hurt her several times throughout the last few years and she finally found her voice, and this time was done with him.”

The Russells are determined to raise awareness about domestic violence, hoping their pain can help others who are suffering in silence.

“Our hearts are broken, but we want people to know anyone who is in a domestic violence situation to seek help and leave,” Jennifer said.

If someone is a victim of domestic violence, they can call the national hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

The Russells spoke to CBS19 on Wednesday evening following Jackson’s arrest. They said they are “ecstatic” that Jackson was found and arrested. Next, they are looking forward to seeing justice being served.

As they continue to grieve their precious daughter, the family says they are taking each day one step at a time. They said investigators advised them not to speak further to media in order to protect the ongoing investigation.

Trial dates have not yet been set for Jackson or the Johnsons.