In the images: James Ray Saucier and his separated spouse Tanya Saucier (Facebook/Lenoir Rowell Criminal Justice Center). In the background: the courthouse where James Saucier was purportedly shot by Tanya Saucier (WLOX/YouTube).
A Mississippi woman who allegedly shot her ex-husband dead moments after he signed his divorce papers was denied bond.
After a judge denied her bail, Tanya Saucier, 49, remains behind bars. According to earlier reports from Law&Crime, she is accused of murdering 62-year-old James Ray Saucier on December 17, 2024, as he exited the Pearl River County Courthouse. The shooting reportedly occurred after they had completed their divorce proceedings, with Tanya allegedly waiting to ambush James as he stepped outside, firing in front of multiple witnesses.
ABC and CBS local channel WLOX noted that Judge Steve Simpson turned down Tanya Saucier’s bond request on Tuesday. Pearl River District Attorney Hal Kitrell indicated that the judge considered her “a unique danger and a flight risk.” Following this ruling, Tanya was moved to Lamar County Jail, where she will remain without bail until her trial.
As noted by Law&Crime in December 2024, the divorce proceedings had been so heated that James and Tanya were required to appear in court at separate times to prevent any confrontations. Their encounter on December 17 was not planned, explained Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office Lead Investigator Maj. Scott Allee to WLOX.
Officials stated that Tanya Saucier and her divorce lawyer, Jansen Owen, reached the courthouse around 10 a.m., while James Ray Saucier and his lawyer, Don Rafferty, showed up about an hour later. As James exited the courthouse just after noon, Tanya allegedly waited for him equipped with a 9 mm pistol.
Upon James Ray Saucier’s exit, Tanya Saucier allegedly shot at her ex-husband in plain sight of both of their lawyers and several other courthouse visitors. She was swiftly arrested and taken into custody.
Owen told WLOX at the time, “What Miss Saucier did yesterday is unjustifiable. I witnessed her murder him.” He noted that courthouse security — or a lack thereof — was a major issue. Owen told WLOX, “That’s the way it is in Mississippi, throughout the state. We have a really big problem throughout Mississippi with lacking courthouse security.”
