The man accused of slaying a Kansas City woman, a native of Vicksburg, and burying her in a shallow Lawrence County grave will stay behind bars until trial after he was denied bond on Tuesday.
The county of less than 12,000 residents has been shaken by the unsettling death of La’Datra Williams. The mother of four went missing in mid-May before her alleged killer led officers to her body.
Charles Matthew Sims was arrested on July 11 and charged with first-degree murder in the case. According to Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett, Sims told authorities that they “would never find [Williams] where we were searching” and that he would lead them to her body.
A deceased female was exhumed from the shallow grave identified by Sims, though DNA testing has not officially identified the body as Williams.
Authorities have said the two were romantically involved and that Williams was one of multiple women in a relationship with Sims, the father of “at least 22 children.”
Speculation points to Sims possibly being the leader of a cult-like, isolated group on a property with characteristics of a compound, according to reporting by WJTV-TV.
The family of Williams has also said they believe that Sims did not act alone.
An investigation into the murder and surrounding details is ongoing.
A GoFundMe page is currently raising funds to cover the cost of Williams’ funeral.
