Rap newcomer Penelope Jones will appear on the crime-solving television show America’s Most Wanted Feb. 18 to discuss the still-unsolved murder of her brother.
Jones (born Juarita Jones) has been aggressively searching for the murderer of her brother Tony since he was fatally shot in his home three years ago in front of his two sons.
“I had already told my mom I wanted to put up a reward. I didn’t do it because I wanted America’s Most Wanted to start talking to me about it,” Jones told AllHipHop.com. “I did it because that’s my brother and I want to know who did it, for closure for my mom and my nephews.”
Born and raised in St. Louis, Jones grew up around family members who were convicted felons.
Through freestyling, she inked a deal with Nelly’s Fo Reel Entertainment in 2001, recorded a verse on the St. Lunatics’ song, “Jang-A-Lang,” and appeared in their music video for “Midwest Swing.”
But Jones was dropped from the label after she was indicted for drug conspiracy and the rapper spent 33 months in a federal prison.
Three months before her scheduled release, she learned of her brother’s death.
“[I thought], why hasn’t anybody come forward to talk about what happened with this?” said Jones. “I thought a little [reward] money would jog their memory.”
Jones signed with Universal again in 2005 through her and Shawn “Tubby” Holiday’s imprint, M.O.N.Y., (Missouri to New York).
The episode of America’s Most Wanted featuring Jones airs on Fox at 9 p.m. E.T.
Her debut album is due this spring through Universal Motown.