RANKIN COUNTY — Multiple law enforcement agencies were on the campus of the Piney Woods School Tuesday afternoon as investigators executed search warrants in connection with an ongoing homicide case, though authorities have not said what information they believe the school may have.
By about 3:10 p.m., officers from several agencies were seen on campus. Darkhorse Press confirmed that search warrants were being served, and Byram police later said the operation was tied to the investigation into the death of William Boland.
Police stressed there was no emergency at the school.
Boland, 42, was found dead July 16 in a room at the Extended Stay hotel in Byram. Hotel staff called police after finding him unresponsive. Autopsy results later showed he died from blunt force trauma, prompting detectives to open a homicide investigation.
Boland, originally from New York, was employed by Piney Woods at the time of his death. According to an obituary written by his sister, he held a PhD in early childhood education from Johns Hopkins University and was a published children’s author under the pen name Thursday P. Winklebottom III. He was also credited as co-producer of the Academy Award–winning short film West Bank Story. His family described him as passionate about fairness, equality, travel, theatre and writing.
Around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, authorities were seen removing a Toyota RAV4 from the school grounds as part of the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Byram police at 601-372-7747 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS.
