JSO arrests 3 suspects, including victim's mom, after disappearance of Northside man

Jacksonville, FL — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has announced three arrests in connection to the disappearance of a Northside man.

According to JSO, they were called to Langford Street on March 6, 2018, after getting a report of suspicious individuals running through the area.

After speaking with several individuals, police determined Jamel Kelly was being chased by three individuals. Officers searched the area, but didn't find any sign of Kelly or any crime.

A few days later, Kelly's ex-girlfriend called JSO saying he still hadn't been heard from, which she said was unusual. JSO's Missing Persons Unit got involved from there.

As part of their investigation, JSO says detectives found reason to believe that Kelly was no longer alive.

JSO's Homicide Unit then got involved. According to their investigation, police now believe that Kelly was killed that original night, March 6, by his ex-stepfather, Gerod Studemire.

They believe he and another suspect put Kelly's body into Studemire's Lincoln Continental. Sometime after that, JSO says the car was burned and then disappeared.

JSO has also arrested Kelly's mother, Stacey Studemire, and one of Kelly's girlfriends, Shaakira Atwater, for accessory after the fact, to murder.

However, JSO says this is still a very active investigation and that they do expect to make more arrests.

They are asking anyone with information to come forward as Kelly's body has not yet been recovered. The vehicle suspected to be involved has also not been recovered at this time.

As for why Kelly was being chased, JSO believes it has something to do with family dynamics. It's believed that Kelly's mother was having domestic issues with Kelly, who had been living with her. JSO believes Kelly's mother called Studemire to confront Kelly about those issues.