7 charged with murder in connection with death of Alabama woman ‘held hostage’

Seven people have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of a 20-year-old Alabama mother who police say was kidnapped and sexually assaulted on video.

Authorities in Birmingham have arrested four men and three women in connection with the murder of Mahogany Jaquise Jackson, Birmingham police announced Wednesday.

Jackson was reported missing on Sunday after her mother and sister received a Facebook message from her, a local Alabama news outlet reported.

“She sent me a text message saying she was being held hostage and gave me her location,” said Gail Maddox, Jackson’s mother.

According to the website’s reports, Jackson pointed to the Serenity Apartments apartment building in the Powderly district of Birmingham. However, when the police arrived, she was nowhere to be found.

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmon said investigators were able to locate Jackson’s body on the side of the road thanks to the public’s help.

Police located her body around 2:19 a.m. Monday and “determined she had been shot.”

Police believe Jackson and all seven suspects knew each other. “I would say all of these people were acquaintances, not strangers,” Thurmon said.

Giovonnie Clapp, 23; Blair Green, 25; and Si’nya McCall, 23; They were charged with murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sodomy.

Jeremiah McDowell, 18, Brandon Pope, 24, and Francis Harris, 25, have been charged with aggravated murder/first-degree sodomy and aggravated murder/first-degree kidnapping.

Teja Lewis, 25, was also charged with murder and second-degree assault with bodily injury/weapon. Clapp also faces assault charges.

All suspects are in custody without bail.

Thurmon declined to reveal specific details about Jackson’s kidnapping, but said she was taken to several different locations and the suspects recorded the sexual assault.

“It was absolutely disgusting,” Thurmond told reporters.

Need help? Visit RAINN’s National sexual violence hotline or National Sexual Violence Resource Center website.