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Crystal McCrory Jones Death Raises Troubling Questions of Police Investigation in Oak Grove, Louisiana

By James Seidel, CC News Network

Oak Grove, L.A., — On Feb. 9, 2023, a mother of two, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in her Oak Grove, Louisiana home. Within one hour and 45 minutes, authorities classified her death as a suicide. But new evidence and investigative inconsistencies are raising serious questions about what really happened that day.

The town of Oak Grove, with a population of just 1,441 according to the 2020 U.S. Census, is rarely a place where such troubling incidents make headlines. But the suspicious circumstances surrounding Crystal’s death are making this quiet town the focus of scrutiny.

Two days before Crystal’s death, the Ring doorbell camera at her home was disconnected. Her husband, Tony Joe Jones, employed by the West Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Department—the agency in charge of investigating her death—was never officially considered a suspect, according to investigative reports reviewed by CC News. Why would he be? He’s only the husband and the first person law enforcement looks to, that’s police work 101.

Crystal’s sister, Jana Guyewski-Latigar, has publicly criticized the investigation, saying the sheriff’s office prematurely declared Crystal’s death a suicide after only a seven-minute interview with Tony, the husband and a deputy sheriff from the department that was investigating the death of his wife. Some would call this a conflict of interest.

Google location data reviewed during the investigation reportedly places Tony near the home at the initially recorded time of Crystal’s death, around 10:35 a.m., though the coroner later inexplicably altered the official time of death to 5:05 p.m.

Following Crystal’s death, Tony pursued a $63,000 group life insurance policy and quickly had Crystal’s body cremated. Jana questioned whether the swift cremation was intended to eliminate any possibility of a third-party forensic examination.

Photos allegedly showed bruising on Crystal’s hands and body, suggesting a possible struggle. But the forensic pathologist performing the autopsy denied the existence of bruising, calling it postmortem lividity, despite photographic evidence to the contrary.

Bruising vs. Postmortem Lividity:

Bruising (Ante-mortem or Peri-mortem Trauma):
- Occurs while a person is alive or immediately around the time of death.
- Indicates trauma or injury due to blood vessels rupturing beneath the skin from blunt force or pressure.
- Forensically significant, often suggesting a struggle or assault.
Postmortem Lividity (Livor Mortis):
- Appears after death due to gravity pulling blood to the lowest points of the body.
- Typically appears 20 minutes to 2 hours after death and becomes fixed after several hours.
- Does not indicate trauma or struggle.

Relevance to Crystal Jones Case:

In the case of Crystal McCrory Jones, her sister, Jana Guyewski-Latigar, and lawyers argue photographs from the crime scene and funeral home show bruising around Crystal’s hands and thighs. They contend this indicates potential physical struggle prior to death. However, the forensic pathologist performing the autopsy stated these marks were the result of postmortem lividity, denying that bruising existed.

@crimeandcask They said Crystal McCrory Jones took her own life — but the evidence says otherwise. Bruises, broken nails, a husband with a badge, and a sheriff’s office too close for comfort. Her family is demanding answers — and so are we. This is the story they don’t want you to hear. #CrystalMcCroryJones #TrueCrime #CrimeTok #LouisianaCorruption #CoverUp #CorruptCops #CrimeAndCask #MurderInvestigation #ColdCase #UnsolvedMystery #ExposeTheTruth #WCPD #CrimeStory #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimeCaskInvestigates #CorruptionInCajunCountry #JusticeForVictims #CrimeCask @justice4crystalmccrory @ｅｔｈａｎ ♬ original sound Crime and Cask

Importance in Investigation:

Determining the exact nature of these marks is critical. Bruising would imply a physical altercation or struggle before death, significantly impacting the investigation and potentially undermining the official ruling of suicide. Conversely, lividity would support the official conclusion of suicide and indicate no foul play.

Due to the body’s quick cremation by Crystal’s husband, Tony Jones, independent verification of this evidence is impossible, leaving investigators dependent on photographs and existing reports. The controversy over these findings highlights ongoing questions surrounding the adequacy and thoroughness of the official investigation.

Contradictions

A significant contradiction emerged regarding a missing shell casing. Initial reports stated investigators couldn’t find it at the scene. Yet a week later, Tony claimed to have discovered it himself. Sheriff Scott Matthews and Chief Deputy Allen Irby asserted the casing was clearly visible in crime scene photos—but according to Jana, no such photograph exists.

Additionally, the ballistics report misidentified the gun involved. Investigators recorded the firearm as a Ruger EC9, but the gun’s serial number indicates it was actually an LC9. Further errors were found in the coroner’s report, including incorrect health conditions attributed to Crystal—conditions Jana says her sister never had.

“This was the worst case of rushed, unprofessional policing I’ve seen,” Jana told a local Louisiana news outlet. “They interviewed Tony for just seven minutes before calling it a suicide. The evidence of bruising suggesting a struggle was never documented in their reports or autopsy.”

Bring on the Private Investigator

Private investigator Sheila Wysocki, a nationally recognized cold case expert, is now assisting Jana in seeking justice. After their requests for help were rebuffed by both the Louisiana State Police and the Attorney General’s Office, Jana and Wysocki traveled to Washington, D.C., seeking assistance from lawmakers.

“There are too many glaring mistakes and too much evidence ignored,” said Wysocki. “The community deserves a thorough, independent investigation. The credibility of the sheriff’s department depends on it.”

The suspicious circumstances surrounding Crystal Jones’ death and the ensuing investigation have left her family and the Oak Grove community seeking answers and justice.

CC News Network will continue to follow this case closely, providing updates as new information emerges.