He went to Electric Forest with friends. Days later, his family was left questioning how he ended up dead in the Michigan woods.
In Episode 26 of Cigar & A Crime, Dr. Dee investigates the troubling death of 28-year-old Jerard “Jay” Jackson, who attended the Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury, Michigan, in June 2026.
Before Jerard disappeared, Michigan State Police had already encountered him at the festival after an unusual incident involving Jerard and members of his group. According to public reporting, concerns were raised about Jerard’s mental state. He later became separated from his companions, while his cellphone and other belongings reportedly remained behind.
His rental vehicle was eventually located away from the festival.
Jerard was later found dead in a wooded area.
Authorities indicated that his death appeared to be suicide and that there was no initial indication of foul play. But Jerard’s family has publicly challenged that narrative and raised questions about his phone, his keys, the rental vehicle, the accounts provided by people who were with him, and what happened during the final hours of his life.
In this deeply researched episode, Dr. Dee examines the known timeline, law-enforcement response, statements attributed to Jerard’s companions, his family’s concerns, the evidence that has—and has not—been made public, and the historical reasons a Black family may demand greater transparency when a loved one is found hanging.
The episode also examines other disputed or closely scrutinized deaths involving Black victims, including Nolan Wells, Trey Reed, and Dennoriss Richardson, while carefully distinguishing the facts and circumstances of each case.
This episode does not accuse Jerard’s friends or any other individual of causing his death. No publicly verified evidence currently establishes that any of his companions were responsible. Questions raised in this episode are presented as questions—not conclusions.
Because responsible true crime journalism should never begin with a verdict.
It should begin with the evidence.
What did Jerard tell police?
Who had his phone and keys?
What happened after he left the festival?
What do the forensic findings show?
And what evidence allowed investigators to conclude there was no indication of foul play?
Jerard Jackson deserves to be remembered for more than the circumstances of his death.
His family deserves answers.
And until the evidence answers the remaining questions, his story deserves attention.
Welcome to the Lounge of Truth.
The smoke never lies.
IMPORTANT FACTUAL CORRECTION — TONEA NICOLE MILLER
During this episode, Dr. Dee mistakenly states that Tonea Nicole Miller was found hanging in Mississippi. That statement is incorrect. She was found in Florida.
CORRECTION:
Tonea Nicole Miller, a 27-year-old Black woman originally from Flint, Michigan, was found dead on June 18, 2026, hanging from a tree near Gwen Cherry Park in the Gladeview area of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
The episode incorrectly states that she was found in Mississippi. We regret the error and are correcting the record.
Accuracy matters—especially when telling the stories of victims and their families. Cigar & A Crime is committed to correcting factual errors transparently when they are identified.
Cigar & A Crime with Dr. Dee
Investigative storytelling. Victim-centered reporting. Evidence over rumors. Facts over accusations.
📧 CigarandACrimePodcast@gmail.com
If you have verified information relevant to Jerard Jackson’s case, please provide it to the appropriate investigating authorities. Do not contact, threaten, or harass individuals discussed in this episode.
51 mins