MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. — Four individuals, including a mother and grandmother, have been charged in relation to the overdose death of a 16-year-old Maury County teen, Katelynn Dupont, who tragically passed away on December 14, 2024. The arrest of these individuals comes four months after the young girl’s death, following a multi-count indictment announced on April 10, 2025.
Katelynn’s mother, Casey Bankhead, and her grandmother, Nancy Bankhead, have been charged with aggravated child neglect and first-degree murder. The charges stem from allegations that the two women knowingly neglected Katelynn, which ultimately led to serious harm and contributed to her overdose death. The indictment further states that their actions adversely affected Katelynn’s health and well-being.
In a recent interview, Nancy Bankhead expressed her grief over the loss of her granddaughter. Speaking to News 2’s Andy Cordan, Nancy shared her emotional turmoil. “It hurts, real bad. I was asleep, and my granddaughter left that night, and I got a call at 1 a.m. saying she was having a seizure and died,” she said. When asked about her role in the death, Nancy denied any responsibility, stating, “I don’t know. Not that I know of. I was asleep.”
While the charges against her mother and grandmother are severe, they are not the only individuals facing accusations in connection with Katelynn’s death. Jerry Durham, who was reportedly involved in a tumultuous on-and-off relationship with Katelynn’s mother, has been arrested and is facing multiple charges. These include first-degree murder, second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated statutory rape, one count of aggravated child neglect, and possession of methamphetamine.
In an exclusive jailhouse interview, Durham denied all allegations. He claimed that Katelynn’s death was a suicide, asserting that she had a history of suicide attempts. “It’s a suicide. She’s known for suicide attempts, and I’m not guilty of nothing I’m charged with,” he told News 2. Durham also claimed that he had no sexual involvement with Katelynn, saying, “I’ve never touched that girl sexually. I never had any kind of sexual relations with that child.”
Durham’s statements suggest that he feels the charges are part of a conspiracy against him, and he expressed frustration over the accusations. “They got me charged with statutory rape, first-degree murder, second-degree murder… on an OD and suicide? I called 911. I tried to save the girl!” he said.
In addition to the charges against the Bankheads and Durham, 43-year-old Jessica Estes has also been indicted in connection with Katelynn’s death. Estes faces a charge of second-degree murder, though she has adamantly denied any involvement in the drug trade that led to Katelynn’s overdose. In an interview from Maury County Jail, Estes explained that she did not know the people involved in Katelynn’s case and insisted, “I have nothing to do with it. It was not me. I was not selling the drugs that they say she died from.” While Estes admitted to a history of drug dealing, she denied selling drugs to minors. “I have kids, I have a family at home waiting on me. I lost my job. I’m going to lose everything,” she said, expressing frustration with the charges.
Neither the Maury County Sheriff’s Department nor the District Attorney’s Office has publicly commented on the case, leaving many unanswered questions about the investigation. The Bankheads were reportedly released from jail on bond, though no further details about the case have been disclosed.
The tragic death of Katelynn Dupont has sparked a wave of emotional responses from the community and those involved. As the legal proceedings unfold, the full extent of the individuals’ roles in her death will likely become clearer, but the case has already highlighted the devastating impact of drug abuse and neglect on families.
