Jacksonville, Fla. — The daughter of Autumn Van Camp, who was tragically killed in 2017, has come forward to speak about her mother and the pain she has endured since the discovery of her body hidden beneath the bed of Jason Guthrie. Recent developments involving Guthrie, now charged with the murder of a coworker, have reignited public interest in Van Camp’s unresolved case.
Authorities have revealed that Guthrie is now the suspect in the killing of Antoine Autry, a 22-year-old employee at the Anheuser-Busch brewery. This incident, occurring during their first day of work together, is part of a troubling pattern of violence linked to Guthrie. Five years ago, Van Camp’s lifeless body was found strangled, yet Guthrie avoided prosecution in that case due to claims of mental incompetency and insufficient evidence.
Summer Pace, Van Camp’s daughter, expressed her ongoing grief as she reflects on the devastating loss. “I and many who loved Autumn have never forgotten her, despite the lack of justice in her case,” Pace stated, recalling that her mother was murdered just weeks before she was to graduate high school. The trauma from that time remains palpable, as she described the experience as overwhelmingly numbing.
A detailed 48-page report chronicling the earlier homicide outlines Guthrie’s troubled history. While he faced no charges in Van Camp’s death, he has now been indicted for Autry’s murder, raising further questions about his mental health and public safety.
Pace learned that Guthrie was charged with second-degree murder last October while monitoring his criminal activities closely. “When I found out he was facing charges again, I hoped it might lead to justice for my mother,” she recalled. Yet, she feels disheartened by the failure of the justice system to hold Guthrie accountable for his past actions.
Guthrie’s history reveals significant mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from a traumatic head injury and a vehicular accident in 2016. Reports indicate that his mental decline was evident, culminating in a 2017 incident where he attacked his father with a cord—an object that authorities suspect was also used to kill Van Camp. Following this, Guthrie spent time in a mental health facility where he allegedly assaulted another patient.
Despite previously being convicted for stabbing a man outside a liquor store, Guthrie received only a time-served sentence. This history has left Pace feeling that the system has failed both her and other families affected by his violence. “We were let down by a system designed to protect us,” she said, expressing frustration about the outcomes of previous legal actions against him.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has classified Van Camp’s case as “exceptionally cleared,” meaning that while an offender was identified, prosecution was not pursued due to circumstances beyond control. A statement from the State Attorney’s Office highlighted their inability to proceed with earlier charges against Guthrie due to inadequate evidence, which has since shifted with the recent murder charge.
Legal experts indicate that mental competence and dangerousness are crucial factors in prosecution decisions. A former federal prosecutor noted that state law permits involuntary civil commitment for individuals deemed a continual risk to society, presenting an avenue that remains an option for Guthrie as well.
Determined to advocate for justice, Pace emphasized that her fight is far from over. “I can’t bear the thought of discovering he has been released,” she stated, signifying her commitment to ensuring that families impacted by violence like hers have their voices heard.
As of now, Guthrie remains in custody at Duval County Jail, facing charges for the murder of Antoine Autry. His next court appearance is scheduled for the coming week, as the community watches closely, hoping for accountability in a case that intertwines unresolved grief with a persistent fight for justice.