Chilton Co. investigators find body in hand-dug grave, need help with identification

CHILTON COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - A homicide investigation is underway in Chilton County.

Investigators responded to a wooded area east of Alabama Highway 145 on May 05, 2022, to investigate a suspicious incident. Sheriff John Shearon tells WBRC caretakers of a cemetery there found what appeared to be a freshly dug grave. He adds that the cemetery hasn’t had a grave dug in over a hundred years so it was suspicious.

While at the scene, investigators found the grave and a body inside, according to Sheriff Shearon. He told WBRC the body was sent for autopsy and it was completed on Wednesday. The sheriff says that’s when they found the manner of death to be a homicide.

Investigators are now asking for the public’s help in order to identify the victim. The condition of the victim doesn’t allow for visual identification, however, based on forensic examination, the victim is believed to be a white male, late 20′s to early 30′s, 5′8″ to 5′9″ in height, average build with dark hair. The victim did have at least one tattoo, on the inside on the right forearm. It is blue with black outline and is possibly of a tropical fish.

The sheriff is asking anyone with information about the investigation or a possible identity of the victim to contact Sgt. Jennifer Bland at (205) 755-4698 or jennifer.bland@chiltoncountyso.org.

You can also provide information anonymously using the Crime Tip function on the Sheriff’s Office website or the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office App.

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