MS Coast parents believed beaten to death by son. Police chief describes ‘horrible’ scene

A man who barricaded himself in a Pascagoula home for several hours before his arrest Wednesday evening is suspected of killing his parents, authorities said.

Darold Sim Payne, 39, is being held without bond in the Jackson County jail on two counts of murder. Pascagoula Police Chief Terry Scott said investigators were still assessing the case Thursday morning but believed Payne would face first-degree murder charges.

Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. identified the victims as Harold Payne, 85, and Jittaun Payne, 71. He said they lived on Krebs Avenue in Pascagoula and were the suspect’s parents.

An autopsy is scheduled Friday. Lynd said the victims suffered blunt force injuries.

Police are still investigating details after a four-hour standoff with Payne ended about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Scott said it appeared the victims were beaten to death with a cinderblock.

“It was horrible,” he said.

It is unclear what led to the killings. Police said officers were called about 3:35 p.m. Wednesday to the east end of Krebs Avenue for a report that someone was being beaten. Officers said they found the victims dead outside a home, then saw Payne run inside and barricade himself for several hours.

Authorities said they first tried to negotiate with Payne on the phone.

“He would just say crazy things and hang up on us,” Scott said.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said a tactical team from the sheriff’s department worked with police to warn Payne they had the home surrounded, tried breach doors and windows, and ultimately used tear gas to force him out of the home and into custody.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 9:54 AM.