When Your Father Becomes the Monster in the Story
The memories of that fateful August night in 1987 are fragmented for Reginald “Reggie” Reed, Jr. He recalls his mother leaving him with his father so she could go out with a friend. They played video games together. Then, bedtime. But when he woke up the next morning, his mother was gone.
He was only six years old. Trying to retrieve memories from that night feels like “trying to capture a shadow.” What he didn’t know—what no child could imagine—was that his mother, 26-year-old Selonia Reed, had been found dead in her car. Brutally beaten, stabbed more than a dozen times, and sexually assaulted with an umbrella, her murder was as gruesome as it was heartbreaking.
For years, the case remained unsolved. Although whispers circled around his father, Reginald Reed Sr., Reggie didn’t ask questions. He was a child clinging to what little stability he had left.
Discovering the Unimaginable Truth as a Teenager
The truth emerged slowly. As a curious teen, Reggie searched public records at a library and stumbled across what would forever change his life: his father was the primary suspect in his mother’s unsolved murder.
Still, he clung to doubt. Even when his father ran for mayor years later, and rumors resurfaced, Reggie stood firm. He refused to believe that the man who raised him could be capable of such horror.
But in 2019, things took a dark turn. The case was reopened. DNA from a cigarette butt found at the crime scene was tested, linking a man named Jimmy Ray Barnes to the murder. Under interrogation, Barnes not only confessed—he claimed Reggie’s father had paid him $50,000 to kill Selonia.
A Conviction That Changed Everything
By January 2023, nearly four decades after the murder, Reginald Reed Sr. was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The man Reggie had defended and loved was now officially declared his mother’s killer.
Reconciling Two Versions of the Same Man
In his memoir, The Day My Mother Never Came Home, Reggie opens up about the psychological shock of reconciling two versions of the same man.
“The man who raised me wasn’t warm and fuzzy,” he said. “He had a military background. He was strict, yes. But he was present. He gave me structure.”
That’s why the courtroom narrative is difficult for him to accept. “Everything presented in court was circumstantial,” he insists. “I still can’t picture my father doing something so cruel.”
Why He Still Visits His Father in Prison
Critics have raised eyebrows at Reggie’s continued relationship with his father, but severing ties is easier said than done.
“I don’t see my dad committing that crime,” he repeats. “Even though he was strict, I never saw a monster.”
Family Tensions and Conflicting Testimonies
Not everyone shares Reggie’s view. His mother’s sister Gwen and even his father’s sister Claudette have spoken out publicly. Both described Reginald Sr. as abusive—not only toward Selonia but also toward other family members.
Reggie disagrees, or perhaps, he doesn’t remember things the same way.
“Sure, I got spanked,” he admits. “But it wasn’t out of control. He was tough on me, especially during summers. I had to read for hours while other kids played. But I wouldn’t call it abuse.”
Lingering Doubts About the Night of the Murder
One haunting question remains: was his father home that night?
“I was six,” Reggie answers. “Who can really say? The evidence doesn’t look good… but I need to know more.”
Adding to the mystery is his father’s silence. After the murder, he never spoke about Selonia. Yet, every year, he took Reggie to repaint her gravesite.
“Was that his way of grieving? Or atoning?” Reggie wonders aloud.
A Political Run Shrouded in Shadows
At age 17, Reggie watched in amazement as his father ran for mayor of Hammond, Louisiana. What stunned him most was that no one brought up the unsolved murder.
“Today, something like that would be uncovered in minutes,” he says. “Back then, nothing. Not one mention.”
A Chilling Financial Motive Emerges
As the case was reopened, prosecutors uncovered disturbing evidence. Reginald Reed Sr. had taken out multiple life insurance policies on Selonia totaling $750,000—one just weeks before her death.
“I was supposed to get a trust fund when I turned 18,” Reggie shares. “But I never saw a cent. I worked through college, took out loans, and made it happen myself.”
Haunted by Uncertainty
Despite the conviction, Reggie still wades through a fog of doubt. His father, even behind bars, continues to claim innocence.
“There was another suspect early on,” Reggie points out. “My dad believed my mom was having an affair with him. According to Barnes, she was killed elsewhere and then placed in the car. I just don’t know what to believe.”
The court has closed the case. But for Reggie, the questions continue to multiply.
FAQs
Did Reginald Reed Jr. testify during the trial?
No, Reggie did not testify. He remained a bystander in the legal process but shared his perspective through interviews and his memoir.
What evidence led to the conviction?
The key evidence was a DNA match from a cigarette butt found at the scene, which linked Jimmy Ray Barnes to the murder. His confession and testimony implicated Reginald Reed Sr.
Was there any physical evidence tying the father to the crime?
There was no direct physical evidence tying Reed Sr. to the murder scene. The prosecution relied heavily on Barnes’ testimony and circumstantial financial motives.
Why didn’t the murder surface during the mayoral campaign?
At the time, there was limited media coverage and no widespread internet access. It’s likely that the public remained unaware or chose not to pursue old suspicions.
Does Reggie believe his father is innocent?
Reggie remains uncertain. While he struggles with the conviction, he continues to seek clarity and holds space for the possibility that his father could be guilty.
Is the book “The Day My Mother Never Came Home” available?
Yes, Reggie Reed Jr. published the memoir, which is available through various online platforms and bookstores.
Conclusion: Living with the Unthinkable
The story of Reginald “Reggie” Reed Jr. is not just about a murder—it’s about identity, loss, betrayal, and an unrelenting search for truth. He grew up shaped by a man who gave him structure but, as the courts say, also stole his mother’s life.
Whether or not he ever finds peace or answers, Reggie has bravely chosen to share his truth. His story challenges us to confront uncomfortable realities—what happens when love and horror coexist in the same person?