FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Shelby County grand jury returned a murder indictment against 56-year-old Sterrett resident Michael Shane Derossett on April 18.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Department investigators arrested Derossett the morning of April 24 at his residence without incident. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail on a bond of $50,000.

On Sept. 21, 2011, sheriff’s deputies and Westover Fire and Rescue personnel responded twice to the 7000 block of Shelby County 51, in Sterrett, on what were dispatched as medical calls.  Sonya S. Derossett, 48, of Sterrett, was found to be incoherent and unresponsive the second time, and she was transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.

On Sept. 22, 2011, the Shelby County coroner’s office notified sheriff’s investigators that Derossett died at the hospital and that the cause of her death was suspicious.  Investigators responded to the Derossett residence to speak with Michael Derrosett and look for any evidence of a crime.

After months of investigation, Sheriff’s investigators presented the case to the Shelby County Grand Jury, who returned the indictment, according to a sheriff’s department press release.