Canvass – Brewer neighbors
On Thursday, August 31, and Friday, September 1, 2023, the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department conducted a canvass in the area of John Brewer's residence, looking for potential witnesses to Dr. Brewer's activities on the night of August 26, 2023, or the early morning of August 27, 2023.
Investigators also showed neighbors photographs of Kristi Waterson and Emily Peyton to find out if they had seen either one of them at or around Dr. Brewer's residence.
The interviews summarized are some of the most typical or relevant to the investigation and are representative of all interviews conducted.
Donaldson
Fred Donaldson
Age: 44
Profession: Gardener
Address: 112 Hillside Drive
Mr. Donaldson said he was visiting his parents in Winona, Mississippi, on the weekend of August 26, 2023, so he didn't see any of John Brewer's comings and goings.
When shown a photo of Kristi Waterson, Donaldson said he did not recall ever seeing her in the vicinity of Brewer's residence.
When shown a photo of Emily Peyton, Donaldson said he had seen her at Brewer's home several times both before and after August 26th.
Gilkerson
Elizabeth Gilkerson
Age: 40
Profession: Homemaker
Address: 109 Hillside Drive
Ms. Gilkerson said she was outside her house on the day YCSD officers were called to John Brewer's residence, and ever since she saw how angry he was that day, she has steered clear of him. As a result, she did not pay any attention to his activities on August 26 or 27, 2023.
When shown a photo of Kristi Waterson, Gilkerson said she had not seen her in the vicinity, but she did recognize Emily Peyton from a photo as someone she'd seen in the neighborhood before.
Greenwald
Martha Greenwald
Age: 56
Profession: Homemaker
Address: 111 Hillside Drive
Ms. Greenwald said she had seen a fair number of women coming and going from John Brewer's residence over the years but did not recognize Kristi Waterson from a photo as one of them. She did recognize Emily Peyton from a photograph and described her as Brewer's most recent girlfriend.
Greenwald said she recalled seeing Brewer and Peyton arrive separately at Brewer's house after dark on August 26, 2023, but she couldn't be sure about the time. Greenwald said Brewer and Peyton arrived within a few minutes of each other, and Greenwald felt it was probably some time before 9:00 p.m.
Martin
Mildred Martin
Age: 31
Profession: Administrative assistant
Address: 118 Hillside Drive
Ms. Martin said she has stayed away from John Brewer since they broke up three years ago and has long since stopped caring what he does or when. She said she didn't remember seeing him or not seeing him on the weekend of August 26, 2023.
When shown photos of Kristi Waterson and Emily Peyton, Martin said she had no interest in Brewer's girlfriends, and she didn't recognize either one of them.
Sheehan
Jonathan Sheehan
Age: 33
Profession: Timber broker
Address: 119 Hillside Drive
Mr. Sheehan said John Brewer always had attractive women visiting his home, including on August 26, 2023. Sheehan identified Emily Peyton from a photograph as the woman he'd seen at Brewer's house that night, but he wasn't sure what time he saw her.
When shown a photo of Kristi Waterson, Sheehan said he didn't remember seeing her in the vicinity of John Brewer's residence, but he would like to meet her.
