Jeremy Wayne Manieri, Man accused of killing priest found dead in jail

The man accused of killing a Roman Catholic priest and taking his car on a vacation to Walt Disney World has been found dead in his prison cell Thursday in an apparent suicide, according to corrections officials and his attoey.

Jeremy Wayne Manieri, 33, a handyman at a Mississippi beach house used as a retreat by a group of priests, was charged with shooting Reverend Ed Everitt, 70, at the beach house in July 2011.

Manieri claimed that he shot Everitt after he passed out from alcohol and marijuana use and awoke to find the priest fondling him. However, investigators believe robbery was the motive, because Florida authorities said Manieri had the priest's car, gun and wallet when he was arrested.

Manieri's former wife and two children were with him when he was arrested at a hotel near Winter Haven, Fla., according to authorities. They had purchased tickets to Walt Disney World but never made it to the resort.

Authorities say Manieri gave a detailed confession to investigators in Florida, but stopped cooperating by the time he retued to Mississippi. He was charged with murder and grand larceny.

Everitt has been pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Hammond, La., and Our Lady of Pompeii Church in nearby Tickfaw.