Court records reveal details in Eden Sexton murder case; friend shares tribute
Updated court records provide additional details in the murder case involving the death of Eden Rebecca Sexton, a Columbus, Georgia, woman who was reported missing earlier this year. Meanwhile, Sexton’s friend, Jennifer Jones, is sharing her memories of Sexton and thanking those who helped keep her disappearance in the public eye.
According to court records obtained by AL.com reporter Carol Robinson, Comer R. McWaters, 68, was arrested in connection with an intentional murder charge filed in Macon County, Alabama. The records list an offense date of Feb. 22, 2026, and indicate that the case was initiated on Oct. 13, with a filing date of Oct. 14.
The complaint alleges that on or about Feb. 22, McWaters picked up Sexton in Columbus and drove her to Auburn, Alabama. The complaint further alleges that McWaters intentionally caused Sexton’s death in Macon County. The charge is listed as intentional murder under Alabama law.
These details come from the allegations outlined in the court complaint. The charge is an allegation, and the case must proceed through the court system.
As previously reported by CNAW2News.com, Sexton, 49, was reported missing to the Columbus Police Department in February after she was last seen in the area of the 4000 block of Victory Drive in Columbus.
In June, special agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation began a missing-person investigation at the request of Columbus police. Investigators identified McWaters, of Little Texas in Macon County, as a person of interest in connection with Sexton’s disappearance.
ALEA later announced that its investigation resulted in a murder warrant being obtained for McWaters in connection with Sexton’s death.
On Sept. 21, McWaters was located and arrested in Perry County, Mississippi, by deputies with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office. He was also charged in Mississippi with trespassing, disorderly conduct, assault on an officer, resisting arrest and providing false identification to law enforcement.
At the time of ALEA’s announcement, McWaters was being held in the Perry County Jail pending extradition to Alabama.
Friend Remembers Eden Sexton
In a statement shared with CNAW2News.com, Jennifer Jones reflected on her friendship with Sexton and the months she spent trying to bring attention to her disappearance.
Jones said she had known Sexton for approximately three and a half months before she went missing, describing her as a sweet person whose life made an impact despite their relatively short friendship.
“When Eden disappeared, I knew I wanted answers,” Jones wrote. “I never imagined that I would find myself fighting to keep her name in the public eye, sharing her story, and asking people to help bring the truth to light.”
Jones said she spent the following months sharing Sexton’s story, encouraging others to come forward with information and seeking accountability through the justice system.
She also expressed gratitude to the people who shared missing-person posts, sent messages, offered information, prayed and encouraged her throughout the search.
Jones specifically thanked a friend named Nikki for helping her share Sexton’s story and create the Facebook page Help Find Eden Sexton. She also thanked individuals who provided information and the detectives who investigated the case.
A Message to Families of Missing People
Jones encouraged anyone with a missing loved one to continue seeking answers while reporting credible information to investigators.
She emphasized the importance of keeping missing people’s names and photographs in the public eye, while allowing evidence and thorough investigations to establish what happened.
“Behind every missing-person case is a real human being,” Jones wrote. “Someone’s daughter, son, mother, father, sister, brother, or friend is missing.”
Jones said Sexton’s life mattered to her, even though their friendship lasted only a few months, and that she will continue to remember her. “Eden deserved to live,” Jones wrote. “She deserved safety, happiness, and the opportunity to continue her life.”
Jones closed her statement by encouraging people to continue advocating for missing individuals and supporting those seeking answers.
“You may be gone, my friend, but you will never be forgotten,” Jones wrote. “Your life mattered. Your story mattered. And I will always remember you.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information regarding court proceedings and McWaters’ extradition was not included in the records and statement reviewed for this report.
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