Shannon McCarthy is charged with murder after Heather Sheppard's remains were found decomposing on her front porch. Sheppard's family reported her missing because they were 'becoming concerned for her safety'. They had not seen her since June 29, 2023. On July 5 Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Missing Person detectives responded to an address and found remains in an 'advanced state of decomposition'. Sheppard and McCarthy were dating and had a history of domestic violence. In January 2023 McCarthy was reportedly charged with battery against Sheppard and had been due to appear in court for that case. In early February, Sheppard allegedly told the Sheriff's Office that McCarthy sent her threatening text messages, and she sustained head injuries after McCarthy allegedly assaulted her on January 29 2023. McCarthy was reportedly set to appear in court for that case on charges of sending a written threatening note to kill and battery.