Jacksonville Woman Admits to Killing Girlfriend and Abandoning Her Body

A Jacksonville woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing her girlfriend and leaving her remains on their front porch for nearly a week in 2023. The sentencing was announced by State Attorney Melissa Nelson.

Shannon McCarthy, aged 46, was sentenced by Judge Meredith Charbula. She changed her plea to guilty on charges including second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and issuing written threats to kill or cause bodily harm, in connection with the murder of Heather Sheppard.

Sheppard’s disappearance was reported by her daughter to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on July 3, 2023. Sheppard had been missing since June 29, 2023.

On July 5, 2023, detectives found Sheppard’s remains in an “advanced state of decomposition” outside of her and McCarthy’s home on Colonial Avenue.

During a police investigation into Sheppard’s disappearance, McCarthy allowed detectives to search their home. As detailed in McCarthy’s arrest report, detectives witnessed McCarthy attempting to cover items on the front porch with a tarp. Upon removing the tarp, Sheppard’s remains were discovered.

Neighbors nearby the couple’s home reported smelling a “foul odor” before Sheppard’s body was located.

According to Sheppard’s family, her phone was off, her credit cards were unaccounted for, a stained pair of shoes were located in the couple’s home, and Sheppard’s truck was found with a bullet hole, as reported by First Coast News.

Sheppard’s autopsy confirmed she was shot multiple times, according to Nelson. 

“The Florida Department of Law Enforcement analyzed the projectiles and confirmed they matched McCarthy’s gun,” Nelson said in the release.

Prior to these events, McCarthy faced charges stemming from an alleged battery against Sheppard in January 2023. At that time, McCarthy was out on bond for the battery charges, but the bond was revoked following the discovery of Sheppard’s remains.