Man accused of killing wife, 4 kids was seen in Jacksonville days before arrest

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Michael Jones Jr. was in Jacksonville at some point after allegedly killing his family.

Action News Jax, Channel 9's sister station in Jacksonville, spoke exclusively with Jones' ex-wife who lives in an apartment complex in Jacksonville.

Authorities said Jones is cooperating in the investigation into the deaths of his wife and her four children, but he has not given a motive.

Authorities are waiting on the autopsy results for the bodies found to determine whether they can charge Jones with the five deaths.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said that Jones made a stop in Jacksonville with their bodies after leaving Summerfield, Florida.

He then went to Charlton and Brantley County, Georgia where their bodies were found, according to authorities.

A neighbor who lives near Jones' ex-wife said he saw Jones there several times in the last month.

A resident in a Mandarin apartment complex said he's seen Michael Jones staying at his apartment building several times this past month.

"What was his demeanor to you?"

Alexander responded, "I would say a little brash holding the head down walking in a certain manner. He didn't really have a really good disposition about himself."

After telling Alexander that Jones has been accused of killing his wife Casei and four kids he exclaimed, "That's the guy that was here? Wow, wow in this building? Yeah, felt very uncomfortable when he was around."

Marion County Sheriff's office said there's reason to believe Jones was in Jacksonville with the dead bodies before getting pulled over and arrested in Georgia.

Action News Jax met Jones' ex-wife Sarah Jones at her apartment.

"Did he stay here with you?"

Jones replies through a crack in her door, "I have no comment, thank you."

And while not every neighbor saw Jones at the apartment complex, they're terrified to think he may have stayed there.

Nearby neighbor Maria Arritea said, "It's so scary to think that somebody who would do something like that could have been here at the park or walking around and my kids are here."

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said they're still waiting on autopsies for Casei and the four kids.

Cox Media Group