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Last updated on Saturday, February 6, 2016
(MITCHELL) - Jasmine Pickett is now facing new charges in the death of 29-year-old Kamie Ratcliff.
Jasmine, who is married to 34-year-old Lincoln Pickett, is now facing charges of aiding, inducing or causing abuse of a corpse, a Level 6 felony. Lincoln Pickett is accused of Ratcliff's murder.
Jasmine was out on bond on charges of obstruction of justice, false informing and failure to report a dead body.
Indiana State Police found a body in a bon fire at the couples home at 3413 U.S. 50 West on January 28 while serving a search warrant at the home. Police say the body was taken for further medical review and it could take months for the results of DNA testing to positively identify the victim believed to be Ratcliff.
Lincoln admitted to police that he placed her body in the fire but originally denied that he had anything to do with her death. The couple told police at that time that Ratcliff had "freaked out" in the couple's vehicle and shot herself.
Since then Lincoln's sister informed police that he had admitted to shooting "a buddy in the face" after Ratcliff began hitting Lincoln in the head.
She told police she had not seen Lincoln for about six months, when suddenly he appeared at her home the morning of January 22. She told police he was driving his red Chevrolet Blazer.
"Lincoln claimed he had not slept or ate in two weeks, and he was pacing and bouncing," according to the probable cause affidavit.
She told police Lincoln had a "Taurus gun in his pocket." Lincoln then allegedly gave the gun to his sister.
Lincoln then asked his relative to borrow a vehicle. That is when the two drove to Lincoln's house. On the way they they stopped at a gas station. While parked in the lot, Lincoln's sister told police that she saw blood splattered on the driver's side rear window of the Blazer.
Once at the Pickett home, Lincoln allegedly backed the Blazer into the garage.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on January 24, Mitchell Police Officer Matt England went to the Pickett home to talk to them about Ratcliff's disappearance. Lincoln told police Ratcliff could be in Ellettsville with a man named Dillon.
Then on January 25, Officer England returned to the Pickett home and the couple told him they had left to go to Walmart to buy diapers and formula and when they returned Ratcliff was gone.
On January 28, police returned to the home with a warrant to search for Ratcliff's belongings. When officers arrived there was a fire burning behind the home. "Within the fire, officers located what appeared to be bones," the affidavit states.
According to the Lawrence County Police log, at 2:42 p.m. officers requested Huron Volunteer Fire Department to the Pickett home to extinguish a small bon fire.
Officers then secured a search warrant for Pickett's home. Inside they found a loaded handgun under a mattress and three long guns.
Pickett is being charged with Ratcliff's murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender; obstruction of justice, abuse of a corpse, two counts of false informing and failure to report a dead body.
Because of the additional charge of murder, Lincoln Pickett is being held without bond.
30-year-old Jasmine Picket posted a $755 cash bond on January 31 and was released from jail. She will appear in court on February 10 at 10 a.m.
Anyone with any information regarding this case is encouraged to call Indiana State Police at (812) 332-4411. Tips can remain anonymous.
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