The Tragic Timeline: 7 Key Facts About How 10-Year-Old Jayden Spicer Died And The Ongoing Murder Case

The tragic death of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer is a heartbreaking case that continues to grip the nation, particularly in the small community of Breathitt County, Kentucky. As of December 2025, the legal proceedings against his mother and stepfather are ongoing, shedding light on the disturbing circumstances that led to the child's demise and the subsequent cover-up attempt. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the timeline of events, the key entities involved, and the shocking details revealed by the investigation into how Jayden Spicer died. The case gained widespread attention after a multi-day search for the missing boy ended in the horrific discovery of his body, transforming a missing-person report into a high-profile murder investigation that has drawn the focus of national media and the Kentucky State Police. The sheer brutality and betrayal of trust at the heart of the case have made it a focal point for discussions on child welfare and justice in the American legal system.

Jayden Spicer: A Brief Biography and Timeline of Tragedy

Jayden Spicer was a 10-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short in what authorities allege was a case of abuse and murder. His story is one of a young life lived primarily outside the care of his biological mother, a fact that would become central to the investigation.

Full Name: Jayden Spicer
Age: 10 years old
Date of Birth: October 4, 2014
Hometown: Breathitt County, Kentucky
Reported Missing: August 6, 2025
Date Found Deceased: August 12, 2025
Mother: Felicia Gross (née Spicer)
Stepfather: Joshua Gross
Primary Caregiver: Reportedly raised primarily by his grandmother, not his mother, Felicia Gross

The Shocking Discovery: The Circumstances of Jayden Spicer's Death

The search for Jayden began after his mother, Felicia Gross, and stepfather, Joshua Gross, reported him missing on August 6, 2025, from their home on Panbowl Branch Road in Jackson, Kentucky. What followed was a massive, seven-day search effort by law enforcement and community volunteers in the heavily wooded area surrounding the home.

1. The Missing Person Report and Search Effort

The initial report claimed Jayden had simply disappeared. The community of Breathitt County rallied, conducting an extensive search that covered miles of remote, challenging terrain. The search was coordinated by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) and involved numerous local agencies and search-and-rescue teams. The hope that Jayden would be found alive fueled the initial efforts.

2. The Horrific Discovery in the Woods

The search ended tragically on August 12, 2025, when Jayden Spicer’s remains were found. His body was discovered buried in a shallow grave in a remote, heavily wooded area off Canoe Road, approximately 19 miles away from the home where he was reported missing. The discovery immediately shifted the investigation from a missing person case to a criminal homicide investigation, focusing on the individuals who last saw him.

3. The Alleged Cause of Death: Sleeping Medication

A key piece of evidence emerged when a citation stated that Jayden’s mother, Felicia Gross, confessed to law enforcement. According to the alleged confession, Gross admitted to giving Jayden a sleeping medication. She claimed this medication caused a "medical emergency" that ultimately resulted in his death. The exact medication and the precise medical cause of death have been part of the ongoing legal proceedings, but the allegation points to a fatal overdose or adverse reaction.

4. Charges Filed: Manslaughter, Murder, and Abuse of a Corpse

Following the discovery and the alleged confession, Felicia Gross was initially arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and falsely reporting an incident. The charges were later upgraded. Both Felicia Gross and her husband, Joshua Gross, were indicted on murder charges by a Breathitt County grand jury, along with other felonies related to the cover-up.

The Current Status of the Legal Case Against Felicia and Joshua Gross

As of the current date, December 2025, the legal battle in the Jayden Spicer case is moving through the Kentucky court system. The case has captured the commonwealth's attention and involves serious charges that could lead to life sentences.

5. The Indictment and Not Guilty Pleas

Both Felicia Gross and Joshua Gross, the boy's mother and stepfather, were formally indicted on charges including murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence. During their court appearances, attorneys for both defendants entered formal pleas of not guilty to all charges. The not-guilty plea sets the stage for a full trial where the prosecution will present its evidence, including the alleged confession and forensic findings, to prove the murder charge.

6. The Role of the Stepfather, Joshua Gross

While Felicia Gross was the one who allegedly administered the sleeping medication, her husband, Joshua Gross, is also facing murder charges. This suggests that investigators and the Commonwealth’s Attorney believe he was actively involved in either Jayden's death, the cover-up, or both. The charges of tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse are directly related to the alleged act of burying Jayden’s body in the remote location to conceal the crime.

7. The Continuing Search for Justice and Topical Authority

The case highlights several critical entities and legal concepts:

• Breathitt County Circuit Court: The jurisdiction where the murder trial is being held.
• Kentucky State Police (KSP): The primary law enforcement agency that led the investigation.
• Commonwealth’s Attorney: The prosecutor responsible for bringing the murder charge indictment against the Grosses.
• Manslaughter vs. Murder Charge: The initial charge of manslaughter suggests an unintentional killing, but the subsequent murder indictment indicates prosecutors believe the killing was intentional or occurred during the commission of a felony.
• Tampering with Physical Evidence: A felony charge directly related to the alleged burial of the body.
• Child Welfare: The case has sparked intense scrutiny of the child's living situation, given the reports that he was primarily raised by his grandmother.

The trial is expected to be lengthy and complex, hinging on forensic evidence, the validity of the alleged confession, and the defense's arguments against the murder charge. The community and the nation await a final verdict to bring justice to the memory of Jayden Spicer. The tragic circumstances of how Jayden Spicer died serve as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of children and the necessity of vigilant child protection services.