Cupps Family Speaks
The family of David Cupps has a plea for West Tennessee, just days after they heard the news that their loved one’s body was found behind an Alabama motel. Authorities say they have no new leads in the search for his alleged killers, Darian “Drake” Pierce and Ricky Wedgeworth, but members of Cupps’ family says that is no reason to let your guard down. Melanie Cupps, David’s sister-in-law, adds, “He had called his wife on his way to the motel Monday to check in and he told her he had to get off the phone because he was going into heavy traffic and that he would call her back when it got to the room.” But David never got to that room. 4:55 p.m. Monday night was the last time his cell phone was used. Melanie, says, “He has one little grandson. He saw his picture in the house and said where’s Pap Pap.” Police now believe his death was at the hands of the two fugitives who stole his rental car, and in the process, strangled and beat him, and then left his body behind an Alabama motel. Less than 24 hours and a short police chase later, the men, referred to as monsters, by the Cupps family, ended up in North Jackson, where they seemingly disappeared into the woods. Melanie, adds, “Someone else is going to get hurt before this is over if they’re not caught first. If they haven’t already.” At this time there is no physical evidence that anyone else has been hurt at the hands of these men. In fact, there is no evidence of these men period. Every single lead, whether it be in Jackson, Memphis, or any other location, has turned up nothing. And with day five just about over, some Jackson-Madison County residents are letting their guards down. Now, it is that complacency that has the Cupps’ worried. Melanie, adds, “What this family is going through right now, I would never dream this on my worst enemy. People need to be careful. I’m afraid that they’re in a house down there somewhere and there’s another family or someone that has already been affected by these two people.” Family members say their lives will forever be changed by Cupps’ murder. He leaves behind a wife, four daughters, eight grandchildren, with a new one on the way. Authorities say they will continue to search the Jackson-Madison County area for Pierce and Wedgeworth because they say they have no reason to believe they are no longer here.
