At approximately 4:45 a.m. on 9-16-16 Shelnutt states he received a phone call at home from security guard Eli Greene, telling him that the body of a housekeeping employee had been discovered in rolling laundry hamper in laundry room. Shelnutt said Greene was called to laundry room by another housekeeper, Lutrisha Smallwood, who was in room, loading used guest linens into washer, when she uncovered body of an African-American woman, later identified as Jazmin Mayes. Shelnutt says he advised Greene to call 911 and seal off area, which he subsequently did, until arrival of Treasure Island Police Department officers. Shelnutt said he called hotel manager at home to alert him of the incident, then drove directly to the hotel, arriving at 5:45 a.m, where he was met by deputies. He states police did not allow him to enter the crime scene, but he was shown a photo of the victim, who he was able to identify as hotel employee Jazmin Mayes. Shelnutt called Byars at home, and Byars subsequently met with officers to share next-of-kin notification.

Asked about victim’s claim of sexual harassment, Shelnutt stated quite strongly that to his knowledge Jazmin Mayes never complained of harassment to him or any other hotel management.

Zee’s next interview was with Lutrisha Smallwood, who’d discovered her coworker’s body.