A Memphis-area father, 39-year-old Victor Gonzalez, and his 19-year-old daughter, Serenity Gonzalez, were found shot inside a crashed vehicle on River Road in Panola County, Mississippi, on March 1. Deputies responding to a reported single-vehicle wreck discovered both victims; the deaths are being investigated as a double homicide. Family members said the pair had traveled to meet a seller to buy a PlayStation 5 from Facebook Marketplace. Authorities ask anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers of Panola County at 662-209-2011.
Father and Teen Daughter Found Shot After Facebook Marketplace PS5 Meetup in Mississippi
Victor and Serenity GonzalezCredit: Victor Gonzales/Facebook
A father and his 19-year-old daughter from the Memphis area were found shot to death inside a crashed vehicle on a rural Mississippi road after traveling to meet a seller who listed a PlayStation 5 on Facebook Marketplace, authorities and family members said.
Deputies responding to reports of a single-vehicle wreck along River Road in Panola County discovered the two victims around 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, the Panola County Sheriff’s Office said. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have identified the victims as 39-year-old Victor Gonzalez and his daughter, Serenity Gonzalez. Local outlets report the case is being investigated as a double homicide.
“We did receive a call Sunday morning around 7 of a one-car wreck,” Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps said. “On arrival of our deputies, they noticed one victim was deceased, and shortly thereafter the other victim as well was deceased.”
“There's a lot I can't say right now,” Phelps added. “Hopefully in the near future we'll be able to put more information out.”
Family members told local media that Victor and Serenity had planned to meet a seller to buy a PlayStation 5 listed on Facebook Marketplace. Jessie Waterman, Victor’s son and Serenity’s brother, said the pair left home to purchase the console.
Credit: WREG News Channel 3/YouTube
“They were going to get a PlayStation 5 off of Facebook Marketplace … and something must’ve happened with the transaction,” Waterman told ABC24 Memphis. He said tire tracks and mud on the side of the van suggest the victims may have been attempting to flee the scene before deputies arrived.
Investigation and How to Help
The Panola County Sheriff’s Office, along with local law enforcement partners, is investigating the deaths as a double homicide. Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers of Panola County at 662-209-2011.
Safety Reminder
While the investigation continues, this case highlights risks that can accompany in-person meetups arranged through online marketplaces. Authorities generally recommend meeting in public, well-lit areas, bringing a companion, and notifying local law enforcement if a transaction or meetup feels unsafe.
Reporting on this incident was compiled from a Panola County Sheriff’s Office statement and local outlets including FOX13 Memphis, ABC24 Memphis and WREG. The family has spoken with local media about the planned Marketplace purchase.
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