Son charged in murder of Elaine Jeffery

Administrator | Sep 03, 2011 | Comments 12

Prince Edward County OPP remain on the scene of the discovery Friday afternoon of Elaine Jeffery's body in a wooded area in the southern part of Prince Edward County.

The investigation into the disappearance of Hallowell resident Elaine Jeffery has ended with the discovery of her body near Old Milford Road and Miller side road. Her son James Beau Jeffery, 27, is in custody facing second degree murder charges.

Elaine Jeffery

The investigation into the disappearance of Hallowell resident Elaine Jeffery ended Friday with the discovery of her body in a wooded area in the southern part of Prince Edward County.
The Ontario Provincial Police Prince Edward County Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch have been searching for the 59-year-old since August 29.
Friday, just before the noon hour, investigators found her body near Old Milford Road and Miller side road.

James Beau Jeffery, 27, of Hallowell is in custody facing second degree murder charges. He will appear in Picton Court Wednesday, Sept. 7.
The investigation was assisted by the OPP Canine Unit, Emergency Response Team and the OPP helicopter.
Anyone with information on Jeffery, or her rental Mitsubishi four-door red hatchback, since Aug. 24th is asked to call Prince Edward OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Case of missing County woman brings expressions of love, hope and prayer

SEPT 1: Expressions of love, hope and prayer continue throughout Prince Edward County as community members express their shock and sadness that Elaine Jeffery is missing.

The 59-year-old Picton women has not been seen by family or friends since mid last week. The OPP requested the public’s assistance Tuesday, Aug. 30 and determined the disappearance “suspicious” by Wednesday morning.

A rental vehicle she was driving was located at her residence in Hallowell. The 2011 Mitsubishi RVR, red, four-door hatchback was bering an Ontario plate: BLXS 211. Elaine Jeffery is described as 5’7″ tall, about 175 pounds, medium build, having brown eyes and greying brown hair.

Heartfelt thoughts and prayers continue through countylive.ca comments with posts that express love for a dear friend, former co-worker and caring employee before she retired as a lab technician at Picton hospital. The comments express hope for a safe return and offer prayers for a family in this time of difficulty. Posts speak of Elaine as an active community volunteer, working with her church and at Ten Thousand Villages, downtown Picton.

Members of local, provincial and national power and sail squadrons are also trying to keep up-to-date with information on Jeffery, who is long-time member and held various official positions within the organizations, including as District Commander. She also works with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

More expressions of hope and prayer continue on a “Lets help bring Elaine home” Facebook group formed this week by Shanna Monroe which now has more than 1,200 members.

Group members have volunteered to create and put up missing person posters throughout Prince Edward County and in Belleville.

Lynn Green posts a thank you to Printcraft and KA Media for their donation of poster printing.
“This is exactly what community spirit is all about,” she wrote. “When a call for help comes and a community makes themselves available. One of the many reasons I love ‘The County'”

And Gidget Pye offered a solemn reminder of small town life.

“With any tragic story comes rumours and gossip. Fact mixed with fiction. I hope people are mindful of what they speculate or repeat to others because at the centre of every story is a family of people that are hurting.”

Anyone with information about Elaine Jeffery or who may have seen a vehicle similar to the photograph is asked to call Prince Edward OPP at 1-888-310-1122.