Tipton County, Tenn.–On Tuesday at approximately 6:40 AM Covington Police Department officers responded to a person being discovered in the back yard of a residence in the 700 block of Price Street in Covington, TN. Officers discovered an unclothed adult female unconscious in the yard. The officers observed trauma to head of the victim.
Officers began life saving efforts and the Tipton County EMS responded to assist at the scene and the victim was transported to the Baptist Memorial Hospital. The victim was identified as Jonesha Robinson, 28, of Town Creek in Covington, TN. The victim later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Tipton County Medical Examiner Investigator Baker McCool. The victim was transferred to the Regional Forensic Center in Memphis for an autopsy.
Officers began the initial investigation and summoned Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to the scene. Detectives processed the scene and began identifying witnesses in the area. Detectives utilized cameras in the area to verify witness statements, confirm the victim’s and the suspect’s movements prior to her death. Early in the investigation, Detectives began working jointly with the District Attorney’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the possible cause of death. Detectives did identify the occupant of the residence where the victim was discovered as Aireiz Montel Macklin, 33 of Price Street in Covington. Macklin was interviewed at CID, and he admitted to an alleged altercation overnight with the victim prior to her death.
Detectives arrested Macklin and he has been formally charged with Aggravated Domestic Assault, Second Degree Murder, and Tampering with Evidence. Detectives confirmed Macklin is currently on State Probation for Felony Harassment and we are seeking a Probation Violation as a result of the new charges. He remains in custody at the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office Jail pending his appearance before General Sessions Judge M.O. Eckel, III. Judge Eckel, III set a 1,000,000.00 bond and a placed a hold for Circuit Court Judge Neal to rule on the Probation Violation.
“I commend the Officer’s initial response and the forensic processing by Detectives of the scene which led Detectives into determining what actually happened in the last hours of the victim’s life. The outcome for this mother of three was truly tragic. Our thoughts and prayers continue for the victim’s friends and family.” said Chief Donna Turner “The holiday season often results in domestic type arguments, unfortunately some of those disputes become deadly. We urge you to seek assistance if you are in a domestic violence situation. If you are aware of a friend or family member in a domestic violence relationship, we urge you to encourage them to seek help or contact us for assistance.”
Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Covington Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (901) 475-1261. Tips may also be submitted via Facebook Messenger at Covington TN Police Department or through the City of Covington website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact Family Violence Prevention Services or the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.