Cold Case Files: Discovery of bodies near Kinta in 2009 leaves more quetions than answers in tragic cold case

In October 2009, Bobby Jamison, 44, Sherilyn Jamison, 40, and their 6-year-old daughter, Madyson, disappeared while inspecting a 40-acre plot of land they were considering purchasing in the Sans Bois Mountains near Red Oak, Latimer County, in southeastern Oklahoma.

The Eufaula-based family was reported missing after failing to return home, triggering a widespread search by volunteers and authorities.

On October 16, 2009, eight days after their disappearance, their locked white Ford F-150 pickup truck was found on a dirt road near Kinta, Oklahoma, about 30 miles from the land they were viewing. Inside, investigators discovered Bobby’s wallet, Sherilyn’s purse, a cellphone, and $32,690 in cash hidden under the driver’s seat.

The family’s dog, Maisie, was also found inside, barely alive due to malnourishment. The truck’s keys were missing, and no signs of a struggle were evident. The large sum of cash raised questions about the family’s intentions and whether they were fleeing or meeting someone.

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Security footage from the Jamisons’ home, dated October 7, 2009, captured Bobby and Sherilyn packing the truck. Their behavior was unusual: they moved slowly, paused frequently, and stared blankly for extended periods, appearing almost trance-like.

They made roughly 20 trips to and from the house, loading items methodically. This led some investigators to suspect drug use, possibly methamphetamine, though no evidence confirmed this.

The Jamisons’ background revealed potential motives. They were receiving disability checks, and Bobby had a history of lawsuits, including one against his parents, Bob Dean Jamison and Sue Ann Jamison, over a disputed gas station property.

In early 2009, Bobby filed for a protective order against his father, alleging Bob Dean threatened to kill him and his family twice, including an attempt to run him over with a car.

The petition also claimed Bob Dean was involved in illegal activities, though details were vague. The protective order was dismissed in May 2009, and the lawsuit was ongoing when the family vanished. Bob Dean died in December 2009, months after the disappearance.

Sherilyn’s mother, Connie Kokotan, insisted the family was killed by a religious cult, claiming Sherilyn had been researching local groups. A former pastor reported the couple claimed to see ghosts in their Eufaula home, including a winged figure on their roof, suggesting possible mental health issues or drug-induced paranoia.

An 11-page letter found in the truck, written by Sherilyn to Bobby, expressed anger and accused him of rejecting her and Madyson, prompting speculation of marital strife or a possible murder-suicide.

Authorities also considered the Jamisons might have been involved in fraudulent schemes, given their litigation history and the cash, but no proof emerged.

On November 15, 2013, deer hunters found partial skeletal remains in a remote, wooded area near Stansfield Road, about 2.7 miles northwest of the truck’s location. Dental records confirmed the remains belonged to Bobby, Sherilyn, and Madyson.

The bodies were found face down, side by side. Autopsies by the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner’s Office found no trauma, and due to advanced decomposition, toxicological tests were impossible.

The cause of death for all three was officially listed as “unknown.”

The remote location and lack of survival gear made accidental death by exposure unlikely, despite October’s mild weather (daytime highs in the 60s, nighttime lows in the 40s). Hypothermia was considered but not confirmed.

The cash and belongings left in the truck suggested robbery was not a motive. Theories of a cult, drug deal gone wrong, group suicide, or foul play tied to Bob Dean were investigated, but no evidence substantiated any of them.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) continues to oversee the case, which remains open but inactive due to no new leads. For information or tips, contact the OSBI at (405) 848-6724 or tips@osbi.ok.gov.