A mother of two disappeared after her shift at a bar in downtown Mississippi — now, a murder charge has been filed.

Authorities have confirmed the death of 38-year-old Joyce Gomez, who was reported missing on Friday, April 25, 2025. Her body was found on Sunday, April 27, near W Wittman Road by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

The discovery followed an urgent search led by the Pass Christian Police Department, which began investigating after Gomez failed to return home.

Gomez was last seen late Friday night around 10:52 p.m. in the 100 block of Main Street in downtown Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Hours earlier, she had been working at The Whiskey Bar in downtown Pass Christian. According to her coworker Chris Langer, she finished her shift and was seen getting into a truck with a man later identified as her ex-boyfriend, Brett Huntley Keel.

“I worked with Joyce Friday night at The Whiskey Bar in the Pass. She clocked out and then shortly thereafter left the bar with a patron we know,” Langer wrote in a Facebook post dated April 27.

“It seems they went to the Bay afterwards, but she did not return home. If you saw her after 10:52 pm please let the police know. She has two little kids that are missing their mom and have no idea what is going on,” he concluded.

Police confirmed that Keel and Gomez had previously been in a relationship. After she failed to come home to her two children and elderly father, friends and coworkers grew concerned.

During a video interview with WLOX News, Langer stated, “I kind of had a feeling that she was gone. Typically, a mother of two doesn’t just up and disappear — doesn’t decide to leave on their own volition. Yes, it does happen occasionally, but usually something else has happened. If she didn’t go home with her dad there and her two kids, then it was not her choice.”

The Pass Christian Police Department formally announced Gomez’s disappearance on Saturday, April 26, and began coordinating efforts with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department.

That same day, two photos of Gomez were shared with the public. In one image, she was smiling with her long, dark hair tied in a high ponytail. In the second, she was seen wearing a white top, her hair loose, with a lighthearted star filter across her face.

At approximately 11:25 a.m. on April 27, officers found Gomez deceased near W Wittman Road. Police stated that the investigation had led them to suspect foul play, and evidence eventually revealed the location of her body.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety assisted with the operation. Law enforcement stressed that this remains an active and ongoing investigation.

On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Pass Christian Police Department arrested 38-year-old Keel in connection with Gomez’s death. He was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.

Harrison County Justice Court Judge Diane Ladner set his bond at $1,500,000. According to a report from WLBT 3 On Your Side, the coroner said her cause of death was not immediately apparent, but that it did not appear she ended up at the scene on her own.

Law enforcement continues to ask for help from the public. Anyone with information is urged to contact Captain Ryan Henry at (228) 363-6038 or the Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.

The Pass Christian Police Department offered condolences to the family and thanked all involved agencies for their assistance. Chief of Police Daren Freeman also requested that people continue praying for those affected.

Tributes for Gomez have poured in online. Desiree Sprunger shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, “She will always be remembered for her beautiful personality and heart! Her infectious smile and the way she treated others, the love she showed was like very few nowadays. We lost a good one. My heart breaks for her family.. especially her son, age 8, and daughter, age 6. Please say a prayer of peace for all of her family and friends.”

The death of Gomez has deeply impacted her community. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities remain focused on bringing justice and closure to her loved ones.

Earlier in April, another heartbreaking incident unfolded in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where a married couple, Kate Simoni and William Scott Fralin, were discovered dead. The two were known for their warmth and generosity, hosting unforgettable gatherings that made everyone feel welcome.

On the evening of Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at around 6:30 p.m., Montgomery County police and fire rescue teams were called to a residence on the 8500 block of Connecticut Avenue.

Inside, they discovered 61-year-old Kate and 63-year-old William both with apparent gunshot wounds. Tragically, the couple was pronounced dead at the scene.

A firearm and ammunition were recovered nearby, and Major Crimes detectives took over the investigation. Both victims were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for autopsy.

The preliminary findings confirmed that Kate’s death was a homicide, while the cause and manner of death for William remain under investigation, though it is being treated as a suicide.

Kate, a dedicated real estate agent, was born in New York City and raised in Tenafly, New Jersey. She met William while working at The Chalfonte in Cape May during her college years. The couple married in October 1988.

A native of Roanoke, Virginia, William shared a life and family with Kate for over three decades. They leave behind their three children, Abigail, Hayden, and Hallie Fralin.

Kate is also survived by her sister, Jane Simoni Cooke, her brother, David Simoni, and a host of extended family, including a nephew, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and many close friends who considered her family. Kate was predeceased by her parents.

William left behind several siblings, including Mark Wayne, John “Jack” Timothy, Gayle Elizabeth Fralin, and Jill Louise Fralin Trivellin. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Michael Gordon Fralin, and his parents

This heart-wrenching event has left the family and community in shock, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Tributes for the couple have poured in, with Kate being eulogized as a woman of remarkable energy and intellect. Her life was defined by service, creativity, and deep connections.

After earning her degree in American History from Kenyon College, she launched a distinguished 25-year career in public relations, where she held influential positions in both the public and private sectors.

She worked at Ogilvy & Mather Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., Corcoran Gallery of Art, MCI, Fannie Mae, and then opened her own consultancy.

Her entrepreneurial spirit later led her to found one of the earliest sustainable fashion brands in the U.S., Good Jeans. Kate then transitioned into real estate, working as a Realtor for the Dana Rice Group in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

There, she became a trusted guide for empty-nesters navigating new chapters of life. A colleague who worked closely with Kate described her as a vital and dynamic presence on their team and someone whose energy, enthusiasm, and support left a lasting impression.

“She was just always a supporter and a great real estate agent,” the colleague added. They remembered Kate as sharp, stylish, and full of character, calling her death a “tragedy beyond measure.”

“She was everything you thought when she walked in the room, you couldn’t miss her and you didn’t want to, she’s a great person,” they revealed.

Michael Taft, who shared many professional and personal parallels with Kate, from studying history at Kenyon College to working in Washington, D.C.’s museum world and eventually becoming realtors, reflected on her profound loss.

He emphasized, “This however, is not the end, her legacy will continue‼I would be remiss and I believe Kate would want us to take a moment out of our lives everyday to have a mental health check-in…Your mental health is as important as body health. If you suffer from depression talk to someone, please!!! [sic].”

Aside from her profession, Kate was equally committed to her community, contributing her time and talents to causes close to her heart, from health and food justice to children’s welfare.

She served on school committees, such as the Board of Trustees at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School and nonprofit boards like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, always lending her insight and enthusiasm.

Her athleticism, intellectual curiosity, and generous hospitality enriched every part of her life, whether she was leading a book club, training for a race, or filling her home with friends, laughter, and homemade meals.

Her legacy is one of warmth, inclusion, and unwavering support for others. Whether cheering on her children’s dreams, welcoming a neighbor in need, or simply sharing a glass of wine with a friend, Kate made people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Her obituary reads, “Despite her unexpected passing, it is important to know that Kate lived a big, bold, bright, loving, and joy-filled life.”

Now, Kate’s loved ones ask that her spirit be honored through acts of kindness. They suggest that one can plant something beautiful, gather with friends, or simply offer support to someone in need. “Kate would want all of us to live a life of service, grace, and kindness,” her loved ones urged.

Meanwhile, William has been eulogized as a respected attorney, trusted advisor, and deeply loyal family man whose life reflected compassion, intellect, and unwavering dedication to others.

A graduate of Virginia Episcopal School, the University of Virginia, and the University of Baltimore School of Law, he built a distinguished legal career focused on elder law, estate planning, and advocacy for aging communities.

Known for his integrity and wit, he helped thousands of families find peace of mind, offering expert guidance with warmth and understanding during life’s most sensitive transitions.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was a vibrant presence, an avid conversationalist, a lover of music, an amateur photographer, and a passionate host. He and Kate were a dynamic pair, bringing people together with joy and generosity.

William was deeply committed to his children’s lives and dreams, supporting every pursuit with pride and purpose. His openness about his own struggles with depression and addiction made him a source of strength within the recovery community. He quietly uplifted and guided others with empathy and grace.

The couple’s obituary notes, “No one could have anticipated how Bill’s life and Kate’s life ended, and their family and friends ask for grace as they grieve and come to terms with this unimaginable loss.”

Bill and Kate’s loved ones urge those facing mental health challenges to seek support, emphasizing the importance of reaching out and not facing struggles alone.

They also shared that a memorial service is being planned, with details to be given by the family at a later date.