Why the case against Jesse Wilson's mother was dismissed after his disappearance and death

Maricopa County prosecutors recently filed a motion to dismiss the criminal case against Crystal Wilson, whom authorities arrested and extradited in connection to the disappearance and death of her 10-year-old adoptive son Jesse Wilson.

Jesse was last sighted alive in July 2016 at his residence in Buckeye. His remains were discovered approximately 6 miles away from his home around in March 2018.

In December 2022, Crystal was apprehended in Gainesville, Georgia, on a single charge of abandonment or concealment of a deceased body following an indictment by a Maricopa County grand jury. Subsequently, she was released on her own recognizance.

“The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has filed a motion to dismiss without prejudice the case against Crystal Wilson," the agency said in a written statement. "Wilson was facing one count of unlawful transport of a dead body. At this time, there was insufficient evidence to move forward with the trial against the defendant. If new evidence is discovered and brought by law enforcement in the future, the office is open to reexamining the case.”

Buckeye police Chief Robert Sanders expressed his disappointment in the development.

"We are disappointed the criminal case against Crystal Wilson will not be moving forward at this time," Sanders said in a written statement. "While Buckeye police worked closely with prosecutors to secure a grand jury indictment and make an arrest, it has been determined the evidence would not be enough to secure a conviction. We thank the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for their assistance."

Sanders maintained that the homicide investigation into Jesse's death remained active and said he personally spoke with Jesse's biological grandmother and that the department shared in her heartache.

"This is a very complicated case, and we knew there would be challenges," Sanders said. "The bottom line is Crystal Wilson is the only person who knows what happened to Jesse. Fortunately, the recent court action allows the Buckeye Police Department to present the case again when more information is developed."

It was not immediately clear whether the unlawful transport of a dead body charge — a class 5 felony — had exceeded the seven-year statute of limitations most felonies have in Arizona.

First-degree murder, second-degree murder and manslaughter do not have a statute of limitations in Arizona.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Criminal case against mother of Buckeye boy Jesse Wilson dismissed