Upgraded charges expected for ex-boyfriend after Coast woman dies months after being run over
Editor’s note: This story contains reporting about domestic violence, a topic that will be upsetting to some readers. If you are a victim of domestic violence in South Mississippi and need help, you can call the crisis line at the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence at 1-800-800-1396.
The victim of a domestic violence assault in Jackson County has died and charges are expected to be upgraded against her alleged attacker, Gautier Police Chief Danny Selover said.
Nina Cumbest, 27, died Tuesday after fighting for her life for six months after police say her ex-boyfriend ran over her in a pickup truck near a Chevron gas station on Highway 57 in Gautier.
Cumbest suffered life-threatening injuries that left her in a coma.
Her mother, Paige Cumbest, said her daughter was surrounded by those who loved her when she died.
“She had a huge heart and thought she could fix anyone,” her mother said. “I miss her so terribly much already. The only thing that makes this any easier is my faith in God and knowing I will see her again one day and she will be completely perfect again.
“I know she’s not suffering anymore and we were able to have her home for the last month of her life, and she was surrounded by family just loving on her and taking care of her. I will miss her until we meet again. I’m just so broken right now.”
Terrance Sierra McNaughton, 21, was arrested initially on a felony aggravated domestic violence charge in the May 6 attack, but the charge was later upgraded to attempted murder.
Selover said he is meeting with the District Attorney’s Office later Wednesday to find out what upgraded charge will be filed against McNaughton now that Cumbest has died of her injuries.
Cumbest had been the victim of other domestic violence attacks allegedly by McNaughton prior to the incident in May.
In the May attack, McNaughton fled the scene after he was accused of running over Cumbest in the early-morning hours.
McNaughton was not immediately taken into custody because he suffered injuries in an unrelated accident shortly after the assault on Cumbest, Gautier police said at the time of incident.
McNaughton has a history of domestic violence arrests for allegedly assaulting Cumbest in the past.
He was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence simple assault on April 24 after he allegedly ran her car off the road and repeatedly punched her through a car window.
Prior to that in October 2020, authorities had arrested McNaughton on another felony aggravated domestic violence charge in another incident involving Cumbest.
McNaughton remains jailed in Jackson County.
Nina’s family and friends created Nina’s Voice, an organization to help seek justice in her attack and to raise awareness to domestic violence in Mississippi and to help other abuse victims.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 2:40 PM.
