2012 Bain Murder-Kidnappings
Murder and Kidnapping Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Whiteville, Tennessee
TIME PERIOD
April 27, 2012
VICTIMS
2 confirmed
On April 27, 2012, in Whiteville, Tennessee, Jo Ann Bain and her eldest daughter, Adrienne, were murdered by Adam Christopher Mayes, a family acquaintance, who subsequently kidnapped Bain's two younger daughters, Alexandria and Kyliyah. Mayes, who was supposed to assist the family with a move to Arizona, was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on May 9, 2012, after the girls were reported missing. Following a sighting in a wooded area, Mayes shot himself during a capture attempt on May 10, 2012, and died from his injuries, while the two girls were rescued unharmed. In subsequent legal proceedings, Mayes' wife, Teresa, and mother, Mary Mayes, were charged as accomplices; Teresa pleaded guilty to multiple charges and received a 35-year sentence, while Mary received a 13.5-year sentence.
Adam Christopher Mayes is believed to have had a longstanding obsession with Jo Ann Bain and her family, which may have motivated the murders and kidnappings. Some speculate that Mayes acted out of a desire to create a family unit with the girls after the deaths of their mother. Additionally, there are theories regarding the involvement of Mayes' wife, Teresa, and mother, Mary, suggesting they may have played a more significant role in planning or facilitating the crimes than initially acknowledged.
The 2012 Bain Murder-Kidnappings: A Tale of Deception and Desperation
A Quiet Town Shattered
On April 27, 2012, the small community of Whiteville, Tennessee, was rocked by a chilling crime that would capture national attention. Jo Ann Bain and her eldest daughter, Adrienne, were brutally murdered, while the two younger Bain daughters, Alexandria and Kyliyah, vanished from their home. This horrifying incident set off a frantic search that would lead authorities on a desperate chase across state lines.
The Prime Suspect
At the heart of this grim tale was Adam Christopher Mayes, a man with deep ties to the Bain family. Born on September 2, 1976, Mayes was a towering figure at 6 feet 3 inches, weighing 175 pounds. Despite his unassuming demeanor, Mayes harbored a dark side that would soon come to light. His parents, Johnny Mayes Sr. and Mary Frances Mayes, painted a picture of a violent and controlling young man. He lived in Alpine, Mississippi, with his wife, Teresa, and his parents, in a mobile home that would become central to the investigation.
A Family Torn Apart
Jo Ann Bain was a devoted mother to her three daughters: Adrienne, born in 1997, Alexandria, born in 1999, and Kyliyah, born in 2004. Her first husband, Mark Johnson, had relinquished his legal rights to Adrienne and Alexandria to Jo Ann's second husband, Gary Bain, the year before. Gary Bain had a connection to the Mayes family through his previous marriage to Adam Mayes' eldest sister, Pamela, which ended in 2002. Despite the divorce, Mayes maintained a friendly relationship with the Bains, frequently visiting their home.
The Day of Tragedy
On the eve of the Bain family's planned move to Arizona, Adam Mayes was supposed to assist them. Instead, he allegedly committed the unthinkable. On April 27, he murdered Jo Ann and Adrienne and kidnapped the younger girls. Gary Bain returned home late that night, unaware of the horror that had unfolded. When unable to reach his wife by phone and noticing his daughters' absence from school the following day, he reported them missing.
A Chilling Discovery
The investigation swiftly unfolded. On April 29, police interviewed Mayes, who claimed to be the last to see the Bain women. However, no crime evidence was initially found. Jo Ann Bain's SUV was discovered abandoned on a country road in Tennessee on April 30. Despite being last seen on May 1 in Guntown, Mississippi, Mayes was only considered a person of interest by May 2.
The case took a dark turn on or around May 4 when Teresa Mayes confessed to police that her husband had killed Jo Ann and Adrienne in the Bain garage, burying their bodies behind their mobile home. This led to the grim discovery of two decomposed bodies on May 5, identified as Jo Ann and Adrienne Bain on May 7. Teresa and Mayes' mother, Mary Frances Mayes, were subsequently charged as accomplices on May 8.
The Manhunt Intensifies
With the case gaining national attention, Mayes was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on May 9. He faced charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, especially aggravated kidnapping, and first-degree murder.
A Desperate Search and Its Grim Conclusion
For over a week, Mayes and the Bain girls were missing. On May 10, acting on a crucial tip, Mississippi highway patrolmen and state wildlife officers scoured a dense forest behind Zion Hill Baptist Church, just a mile and a half from Mayes' home. In a tense standoff, officers found the girls and Mayes. When confronted, Mayes raised one hand as the other clutched a gun, which he used to fatally shoot himself in the head. He was rushed to Baptist Memorial Hospital in New Albany, Mississippi, where he was pronounced dead at 8:20 p.m.
The Bain sisters, discovered dehydrated and suffering from poison ivy and insect bites, were soon taken to a Memphis hospital for treatment and released.
The Aftermath
With no family claiming Mayes' body, it was donated to the University of Tennessee's Body Farm in June 2012. Meanwhile, the FBI awarded reward money to several individuals whose tips led to Mayes' capture.
The Background and Motive
Adam Mayes, described by his family as aggressive and untrustworthy, was obsessed with the Bain girls. His mother-in-law, Josie Tate, revealed that he believed he was the father of Alexandria and Kyliyah, though investigators found no evidence supporting this claim. Instead, it seemed Mayes harbored a disturbing fixation on Alexandria, which fueled his heinous actions.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Teresa Mayes faced severe charges, including murder and kidnapping, with the possibility of the death penalty looming. Her mother claimed Adam had coerced and manipulated the intellectually challenged Teresa into assisting him. On May 21, the charges against Mary Mayes were amended to two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, as she was believed to have confined the girls after their abduction.
In a chilling statement to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Teresa detailed how Adam had meticulously planned the crime for a year, driven by his obsession with Alexandria. On multiple occasions, he attempted to drug Gary Bain and kidnap the girls. Finally, on the night of April 27, 2012, Teresa drove the younger girls around while Adam executed his gruesome plan and buried the bodies in Guntown.
On August 9, 2013, both Teresa and Mary Mayes accepted plea deals. Teresa received a 35-year sentence, while Mary was sentenced to 13 and a half years. In 2016, both women were transferred to the Women's Therapeutic Residential Center at West Tennessee State Penitentiary for good behavior.
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Bain Family Murders
Jo Ann Bain and her daughter Adrienne are murdered by Adam Mayes, who kidnaps two younger daughters.
SUV Found Abandoned
Jo Ann Bain's SUV is discovered abandoned on a country road, raising suspicions.
Bodies Discovered
Investigators find the bodies of Jo Ann and Adrienne Bain buried behind Mayes' mobile home.
Mayes Added to FBI List
Adam Mayes is added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Mayes Found and Dies
Mayes is found with the kidnapped girls; he shoots himself during the capture attempt.
Charges Filed Against Accomplices
Teresa and Mary Mayes are charged as accomplices in the murders and kidnappings.
Plea Bargain Sentencing
Teresa Mayes pleads guilty to murder and kidnapping, sentenced to 35 years; Mary Mayes gets 13.5 years.
Transfer to Therapeutic Program
Both Teresa and Mary Mayes are moved to a therapeutic program due to good behavior.
On April 27, 2012, in Whiteville, Tennessee, Jo Ann Bain and her eldest daughter, Adrienne, were murdered by Adam Christopher Mayes, a family acquaintance, who subsequently kidnapped Bain's two younger daughters, Alexandria and Kyliyah. Mayes, who was supposed to assist the family with a move to Arizona, was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on May 9, 2012, after the girls were reported missing. Following a sighting in a wooded area, Mayes shot himself during a capture attempt on May 10, 2012, and died from his injuries, while the two girls were rescued unharmed. In subsequent legal proceedings, Mayes' wife, Teresa, and mother, Mary Mayes, were charged as accomplices; Teresa pleaded guilty to multiple charges and received a 35-year sentence, while Mary received a 13.5-year sentence.
Adam Christopher Mayes is believed to have had a longstanding obsession with Jo Ann Bain and her family, which may have motivated the murders and kidnappings. Some speculate that Mayes acted out of a desire to create a family unit with the girls after the deaths of their mother. Additionally, there are theories regarding the involvement of Mayes' wife, Teresa, and mother, Mary, suggesting they may have played a more significant role in planning or facilitating the crimes than initially acknowledged.
The 2012 Bain Murder-Kidnappings: A Tale of Deception and Desperation
A Quiet Town Shattered
On April 27, 2012, the small community of Whiteville, Tennessee, was rocked by a chilling crime that would capture national attention. Jo Ann Bain and her eldest daughter, Adrienne, were brutally murdered, while the two younger Bain daughters, Alexandria and Kyliyah, vanished from their home. This horrifying incident set off a frantic search that would lead authorities on a desperate chase across state lines.
The Prime Suspect
At the heart of this grim tale was Adam Christopher Mayes, a man with deep ties to the Bain family. Born on September 2, 1976, Mayes was a towering figure at 6 feet 3 inches, weighing 175 pounds. Despite his unassuming demeanor, Mayes harbored a dark side that would soon come to light. His parents, Johnny Mayes Sr. and Mary Frances Mayes, painted a picture of a violent and controlling young man. He lived in Alpine, Mississippi, with his wife, Teresa, and his parents, in a mobile home that would become central to the investigation.
A Family Torn Apart
Jo Ann Bain was a devoted mother to her three daughters: Adrienne, born in 1997, Alexandria, born in 1999, and Kyliyah, born in 2004. Her first husband, Mark Johnson, had relinquished his legal rights to Adrienne and Alexandria to Jo Ann's second husband, Gary Bain, the year before. Gary Bain had a connection to the Mayes family through his previous marriage to Adam Mayes' eldest sister, Pamela, which ended in 2002. Despite the divorce, Mayes maintained a friendly relationship with the Bains, frequently visiting their home.
The Day of Tragedy
On the eve of the Bain family's planned move to Arizona, Adam Mayes was supposed to assist them. Instead, he allegedly committed the unthinkable. On April 27, he murdered Jo Ann and Adrienne and kidnapped the younger girls. Gary Bain returned home late that night, unaware of the horror that had unfolded. When unable to reach his wife by phone and noticing his daughters' absence from school the following day, he reported them missing.
A Chilling Discovery
The investigation swiftly unfolded. On April 29, police interviewed Mayes, who claimed to be the last to see the Bain women. However, no crime evidence was initially found. Jo Ann Bain's SUV was discovered abandoned on a country road in Tennessee on April 30. Despite being last seen on May 1 in Guntown, Mississippi, Mayes was only considered a person of interest by May 2.
The case took a dark turn on or around May 4 when Teresa Mayes confessed to police that her husband had killed Jo Ann and Adrienne in the Bain garage, burying their bodies behind their mobile home. This led to the grim discovery of two decomposed bodies on May 5, identified as Jo Ann and Adrienne Bain on May 7. Teresa and Mayes' mother, Mary Frances Mayes, were subsequently charged as accomplices on May 8.
The Manhunt Intensifies
With the case gaining national attention, Mayes was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on May 9. He faced charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, especially aggravated kidnapping, and first-degree murder.
A Desperate Search and Its Grim Conclusion
For over a week, Mayes and the Bain girls were missing. On May 10, acting on a crucial tip, Mississippi highway patrolmen and state wildlife officers scoured a dense forest behind Zion Hill Baptist Church, just a mile and a half from Mayes' home. In a tense standoff, officers found the girls and Mayes. When confronted, Mayes raised one hand as the other clutched a gun, which he used to fatally shoot himself in the head. He was rushed to Baptist Memorial Hospital in New Albany, Mississippi, where he was pronounced dead at 8:20 p.m.
The Bain sisters, discovered dehydrated and suffering from poison ivy and insect bites, were soon taken to a Memphis hospital for treatment and released.
The Aftermath
With no family claiming Mayes' body, it was donated to the University of Tennessee's Body Farm in June 2012. Meanwhile, the FBI awarded reward money to several individuals whose tips led to Mayes' capture.
The Background and Motive
Adam Mayes, described by his family as aggressive and untrustworthy, was obsessed with the Bain girls. His mother-in-law, Josie Tate, revealed that he believed he was the father of Alexandria and Kyliyah, though investigators found no evidence supporting this claim. Instead, it seemed Mayes harbored a disturbing fixation on Alexandria, which fueled his heinous actions.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Teresa Mayes faced severe charges, including murder and kidnapping, with the possibility of the death penalty looming. Her mother claimed Adam had coerced and manipulated the intellectually challenged Teresa into assisting him. On May 21, the charges against Mary Mayes were amended to two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, as she was believed to have confined the girls after their abduction.
In a chilling statement to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Teresa detailed how Adam had meticulously planned the crime for a year, driven by his obsession with Alexandria. On multiple occasions, he attempted to drug Gary Bain and kidnap the girls. Finally, on the night of April 27, 2012, Teresa drove the younger girls around while Adam executed his gruesome plan and buried the bodies in Guntown.
On August 9, 2013, both Teresa and Mary Mayes accepted plea deals. Teresa received a 35-year sentence, while Mary was sentenced to 13 and a half years. In 2016, both women were transferred to the Women's Therapeutic Residential Center at West Tennessee State Penitentiary for good behavior.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Bain Family Murders
Jo Ann Bain and her daughter Adrienne are murdered by Adam Mayes, who kidnaps two younger daughters.
SUV Found Abandoned
Jo Ann Bain's SUV is discovered abandoned on a country road, raising suspicions.
Bodies Discovered
Investigators find the bodies of Jo Ann and Adrienne Bain buried behind Mayes' mobile home.
Mayes Added to FBI List
Adam Mayes is added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Mayes Found and Dies
Mayes is found with the kidnapped girls; he shoots himself during the capture attempt.
Charges Filed Against Accomplices
Teresa and Mary Mayes are charged as accomplices in the murders and kidnappings.
Plea Bargain Sentencing
Teresa Mayes pleads guilty to murder and kidnapping, sentenced to 35 years; Mary Mayes gets 13.5 years.
Transfer to Therapeutic Program
Both Teresa and Mary Mayes are moved to a therapeutic program due to good behavior.