A Lyons man has pleaded guilty today to two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of his ex-wife and teenage son, whose bodies were discovered last fall in a shallow grave in Sullivan County.

Joshua Alan Penick, 35 at the time of his arrest, entered guilty pleas to both murder charges during a change of plea hearing. As part of the plea agreement, all other charges against him — including obstruction of justice, battery against a public safety official, false informing, and resisting law enforcement — have been dismissed.

Penick was originally arrested on Oct. 17, 2024, by Greene County Sheriff’s Department Detective David Elmore during a joint investigation with Detective Sgt. Shawn Cullison into the disappearance of Samantha Jerrell and their 14-year-old son. The two were reported missing after failing to return home or report to work or school.

According to court documents, Jerrell’s vehicle was located abandoned in a wooded area not far from her Lyons residence. Authorities later learned that Penick had allegedly made a troubling phone call to his father, during which he reportedly said, “they’re not coming back.” Investigators say Penick eventually provided directions that led law enforcement and cadaver dogs to the location of the victims’ remains near a guardrail at Bear Run Mine in Sullivan County.

Penick’s father later told detectives that his son had confessed to killing both victims and burying them in a shallow grave.

Penick has been held without bond in the Greene County Jail since his arrest. Sentencing details have not yet been released and will be at the discretion of the Greene County Circuit Court.