In 2010, the sudden disappearance of a teenage girl in Clayton County, Georgia ended in tragedy when her remains were found in a wooded area a few months later. But in a frustrating development, there wasn’t much evidence to help authorities track down her killer. Survey Discovery’The Truth in the Diary’ chronicles how Candice Parchment’s murder was solved thanks to an unlikely discovery her mother made more than a year after the teenager died. So, let’s find out what happened next, shall we?
How did Candice Parchment die?
Candice Parchment was a 15-year-old living in Clayton County, Georgia, with her mother, Caffian Hyatt. She was a student at Forest Park High School in Georgia and, by all means, had a promising life ahead of her. Candice was close to her mother, so it was unusual for her to suddenly leave home on April 28, 2010. Caffian was unable to reach her daughter despite several attempts.
However, she received two text messages from Candice’s phone saying she was fine and was in Tennessee. However, Caffian did not believe her daughter had sent them and continued to search for her. In November 2010, the search ended when authorities found Candice’s remains under a mattress in a wooded area near her home. The autopsy revealed that she had been stabbed and strangled to death.
Who killed Candice Parchment?
More than three months before Candice disappeared, she survived an attempted sexual assault on her. On January 5, 2010, Caffian was driving in search of her daughter when she stopped in the driveway of an abandoned house. At the time, Candice only told her mother that she had been assaulted, but did not tell her who it was. Despite Caffian’s insistence, Candice did not tell the police. Unfortunately, more than three months later, she suddenly disappeared and her body was found in November 2010.
The case did not move forward until Caffian found Candice’s diary as he prepared to move out in October 2011. In a January 5, 2010 entry, the 15-year-old had identified her attackers as being Marshae Hickman and Jermaine Robinson, two teenagers from the area. According to the newspaper, “Jermaine hit her on the head with a rake and Marsha blocked the door” to prevent her from running away. Jermaine then strangled Candice while Marshae groped the girl.
Around this time, Caffian had called Candice and talked a bit; she had also come near the abandoned house, which caused the two men to panic and leave. Also, Marshae had threatened to kill Candice if she told anyone what happened. Upon learning of this information, authorities reviewed it and realized that Marshae was already in custody on an unrelated burglary charge. When questioned, he admitted to wrapping his arms around Candice’s neck and squeezing her tightly until she went limp.
Although there is evidence that Candice was also stabbed, Marshae only confessed to choking her. He claimed he passed out when it happened, but authorities believe he returned to the scene several times to confirm Candice’s body had not been found. The remains were located near the apartment complex where Marshae lived. Jermaine later said Marshae told him to punch Candice and choke her, threatening to kill them both if he didn’t comply.
Where are Marshae Hickman and Jermaine Robinson now?
During Marshae Hickman’s trial in April 2013, he apologized for what happened in a letter, saying, “I’m sorry for what I did. I was in a bad state of mind, and it haunts me every day. I wish I could bring her back. Marshae, then 21, was eventually convicted of malicious murder, felony murder, forcible confinement, attempted rape, manslaughter, aggravated assault, aggravated assault and concealment of crime. ‘a death.
The defense claimed that Jermaine was likely the killer because he knew more about the crime. Earlier he talked about Candice being stabbed. Additionally, Marshae’s attorney claimed his client was coerced into a confession and interrogated for very long hours. Ultimately, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional 20 years.
Marshae was also given a concurrent 50-year sentence for the attack and the attempted rape. Jermaine pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and testified against Marshae. From what we can tell, Jermaine has since been released from prison and appears to have kept himself out of trouble. Since then, he has maintained a low profile, with his last known location being Forest Park, Georgia. As for Marshae, he is serving his sentence at Telfair State Prison in McRae-Helena, Georgia.
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