OXFORD, Miss. — A judge in Mississippi has officially declared a University of Mississippi student legally deceased, more than two years after he went missing.

Jimmie “Jay” Lee, who was just 20 years old, was last seen on July 8, 2022, driving away from an apartment complex in Oxford. Although his vehicle was located at a different site, Lee himself has not been found.

Lee was a prominent figure in the local LGBTQ+ community, and his disappearance raised significant concerns among both students and residents in the area. In connection with Lee’s case, Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr. was apprehended two weeks after Lee disappeared and has since been indicted on charges of capital murder. Authorities have pointed out that Herrington’s phone records indicate he communicated with Lee on the morning of his disappearance. Investigators also found that Herrington conducted internet searches on how to strangle someone shortly after Lee reportedly informed him he was headed to his apartment. Herrington has asserted that he is innocent of the charges.

According to court documents, Lee’s parents submitted a petition for a declaration of death in the Lafayette County Circuit Court last September. Judge Grady Tollison approved the petition and issued an order in October.

The judge emphasized that the court had previously established that the evidence strongly suggests Lee is deceased, indicating that this opinion has remained unchanged.

In the official order, Tollison stated, “(Lee) is a person that has undergone a catastrophic event that exposed him to imminent peril or danger reasonably expected to result in the loss of life. Furthermore, it is undisputed that Mr. Lee’s absence since the event has not been adequately explained despite diligent searches and inquiries made by family members, friends, and various law enforcement agencies.”

As of now, Herrington’s attorney, Kevin Horan, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the situation. A trial for Herrington is scheduled to commence on December 2.