The Marshfield woman accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend with a fatal dose of fentanyl in 2022 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Jessica L. McCammon, 43, was originally charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, distribution of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.
In Judge Joshua Christensen’s courtroom Friday morning, McCammon pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder, a Class A felony under Missouri law, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony.
Greene County first assistant prosecuting attorney Philip Fuhrman agreed to drop armed criminal action and distribution of a controlled substance charges in exchange for McCammon’s guilty plea.
McCammon admitted to killing Dan A. Myers, 51, of Springfield, with a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Myers' sister, Christine Steele, and son, Jordan Myers, appeared at the plea hearing via video conferencing.
Steele told the court that their father fell into a state of depression after her brother’s death.
“Our father passed away two months ago with a broken heart,” Steele said. “He lost his only son, and I can only pray they are together fixing up a classic car.”
Steele discussed her brother’s two sons; the oldest had to be placed in a home for adults with disabilities. That son doesn’t understand why his father never returned home or why he now has to live in a group home, Steele said, and that son is now “angry and sad.”
The other son — Jordan Myers — now lives with Steele.
“The family is heartbroken,” Steele said. “What she did was vindictive, horrific.”
After she concluded speaking, Judge Christensen thanked Steele and said he was sorry for her loss.
Jordan Myers then spoke.
“In the year and a half my father has been gone, I’ve had to make some hard decisions such as putting my brother in a home for disabled adults,” he said. “I’m robbed of my future lessons from (Dan Myers)[…] I can’t believe he is no longer here.”
Jordan Myers directed his final comment to the person who admitted killing his father.
“I hope justice is served, Jessica McCammon,” he said.
What happened in fentanyl-murder case
Before McCammon was sentenced, Furhman read a summary of what happened.
According to the prosecutor, Dan Myers was first reported missing by his girlfriend on March 25, 2022. She had not seen him since March 22.
Myers’ white 2009 Chevrolet truck and blue Harley Davidson motorcycle were also reported missing.
A few weeks later, Greene County Sheriff's Office detectives located human remains in a burned truck in a wooded area off North Farm Road 167 north of Springfield and believe they are Myers’ remains. The truck was confirmed to belong to Myers with the matching VIN.
A witness and friend of McCammon’s told investigators that McCammon admitted to murdering Dan Myers with a lethal dose of fentanyl and that McCammon had researched exactly how much fentanyl would be fatal.
The witness told investigators that McCammon contacted him on April 3, 2022, needing help. The witness said McCammon admitted that she intentionally overdosed Myers because Myers had been abusive to her.
The witness said he met McCammon at a gas station and McCammon rode with him to the location where Myers’ truck was parked on Kingsbury Street in Springfield. Myers’ body was in the truck, the witness told investigators.
According to Furhman, the witness said he and McCammon drove the truck to a remote location north of Springfield on Farm Road 167 and set fire to the truck.
On April 6, 2022, detectives located McCammon and she agreed to be interviewed. At first, McCammon denied any knowledge of Myers’ whereabouts. She also told investigators there was a “long history of domestic violence between her and (Myers) that included drug use and physical abuse,” the document said.
Investigators went to that location and located the truck with skeletal remains.
Recording found on McCammon’s phone
Investigators obtained a search warrant for McCammon’s cell phone. On the phone, investigators discovered a 35-minute video that is just sound with no visual picture.
According to court documents, Myers’ and McCammon's voices can be heard talking about using narcotics. Around the 18-minute mark, sounds of snorting and coughing can be heard.
At 27 minutes, McCammon can be heard making a “shhh” sound followed by a period of silence, the document said. For the next few minutes, sounds of what the investigator believes to be Myers moaning and “agonal breathing” can be heard.
“During this portion of the video where agonal breathing can be heard, Jessica makes no attempt to render aid or check on Dan’s well-being,” the Greene County detective wrote in the probable cause statement filed against McCammon.
After Furhman read the facts of the case, the judge asked McCammon if she agreed with what the prosecutor described.
McCammon looked at her attorney, public defender Sarah Johnson, and then softly said yes.
Judge Christensen sentenced McCammon to 30 years in a state prison for second-degree murder and four years for tampering with physical evidence. The sentences are to run concurrently.
She must serve at least 85 percent of the 30-year sentence and pay $3,800 in restitution to Jordan Myers.
