Lynette Jarrett

Claressa Lynett (Hudson) Jarrett was born to Jean Smith and Mitchell O'Neal Hudson. She had a brother, Mitchell O'Neal, Jr. and three sisters, Ramona Kay, Vanessa, and Tammy Ladonne Hudson. She also had four stepbrothers, Anthony, Jeffrey, Steve, and Randy Smith. Claressa Lynette was murdered by her boyfriend, Michael Dowda, in 1996. He was convicted of her murder in 1998 and sent to prison, condemned to a life sentence. However, Dowda escaped twice and was at large for three days, sending fear throughout Lynette's family. See an article about his second escape, along with comments by Lynette's family, at Murder victim's family lived in fear after prisoner escaped. Dowda had previously appealed his conviction and the facts surrounding Claressa's death are included in his appeal, which you can see here: DOWDA v. STATE (2000), (Caution: the appeal includes a description of Claressa's murder, which you may consider graphic.) Claressa Jarrett was survived by a son, Steven Tyler Jarrett, and a daughter, Amanda Nicole Jarrett. See Lynette Jarrett: Obituary.