A former assistant basketball coach for Alabama A&M and the University of Alabama, who was reported missing earlier this week in Georgia, has been found shot to death near Atlanta. His family confirmed the tragic news on Wednesday.
Who Was Sammy Jackson?
Sammy Jackson, 59, was a well-respected figure in the basketball world. Originally from Headland, Alabama, he made a name for himself as a star player at Headland High School. He later earned all-conference honors while playing for the University of Montevallo in the early 1980s.
Jackson spent a decade as an assistant coach at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville before serving as head coach at Fort Valley State University in Georgia from 2011 to 2018. Over the years, he also held coaching positions at Savannah State University and the University of Alabama.
Disappearance and Discovery
Jackson’s wife, Jill Jackson, reported him missing after he failed to return home. His abandoned car was later found in a parking lot at an apartment complex in Bonaire, Georgia. According to local reports, the vehicle was unlocked, and investigators found his belongings scattered across the seat and floor.
Jill Jackson mentioned that it was highly unusual for her husband’s car to be in such a state. The last time she spoke with him was on Sunday night before he started his shift as an Uber Eats driver. The next communication she received from him was a text message at 2:15 a.m. on Tuesday asking, “Do you know my Social Security number?” When she attempted to call him multiple times, there was no response.
Concerned for his safety, Jill contacted authorities after BMW provided her with the car’s location. Unfortunately, by Wednesday, investigators confirmed that Jackson had been found dead in Atlanta.
Investigation Underway
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office initially handled the missing persons report, but the Peach County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation. As of now, law enforcement officials have not released further details regarding suspects or possible motives.
Family’s Heartbreaking Response
Jackson’s sister, Barbara Jackson, shared a heartbreaking message on social media, revealing that her brother had been shot and killed.
“Why didn’t you just take the car and go? Why did you have to shoot and kill him? He would have given you that car because material things never mattered to him,” she wrote.
She described her brother as a man with a “heart of gold” who was always willing to help others. She asked for prayers for the family as they navigate this difficult time.
Community Mourns the Loss
The news of Jackson’s death has sent shockwaves through the basketball and Alabama communities. Many former colleagues, players, and friends have expressed their grief and shared fond memories of his dedication to coaching and mentoring young athletes.
Jackson’s contributions to college basketball spanned decades, and his impact will be remembered by those he coached and worked with.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to his death to come forward as the investigation continues.
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