Ladarius Naylor waived his right to an initial hearing Monday in Meridian City Court, accepting a bond of $1 million for the charge of murder.

Naylor, 26, had been accused of murdering Ariana Bianca Naylor on Jan. 1 and tampering with evidence. A preliminary hearing determines whether or not a crime has been committed and if it is likely or probable that the defendant committed the crime.

Following an investigation, a grand jury will formally indict, or charge, Naylor before he goes to trial. That date has not yet been determined.

Kemper County deputies discovered the body of Ariana Naylor when responding to a vehicle fire Gene Mosley Road. Naylor later confessed to killing his wife, Ariana Naylor, after attempting to get her back, according to Kemper County Sheriff James Moore.

Moore said Naylor apparently drove for a few hours before parking on Gene Mosley and setting the car on fire.

Naylor had to be hospitalized and had surgery on some self-inflicted wounds. During the investigation, Naylor said the murder occurred in Meridian and the Kemper County transferred Naylor to the Meridian Police Department’s custody on Jan. 4. 

The Meridian Police Department will be leading the investigation on the murder. The alleged tampering with evidence occurred in Kemper County and Naylor will appear before a judge in Kemper for that charge.