BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Editor's note: The video above is from a previous case coverage.
An Atlanta man, whose partner was killed over the Fourth of July weekend in Birmingham, Alabama, breaks his silence days after being named a person of interest in the homicide.
Birmingham Police said Deundray Cottrell, 31, of Atlanta, was found dead inside an abandoned shed about a block away from where he disappeared on July 4.
Cottrell's sister, Angelica Cottrell, said her brother and his partner, Julian Morris, drove to Birmingham on the Fourth of July. They got to her house around 6 p.m. that Thursday night.
She said that around 9 p.m., her brother went inside their home, which sits along the 7900 block of 4th Avenue South, to check on his dog because of the fireworks. Angelica said that about an hour later, Morris approached her and said her brother jumped out of the window.
Angelica said once they learned of her brother allegedly jumping out of a window, they started searching for him. Birmingham Police said they received a call regarding Cottrell's disappearance around 11 p.m. that same evening.
On the following day, July 5, a piece of clothing belonging to Cottrell was found, and a neighbor came forward with surveillance video showing him in the area. Officers were able to narrow down a search based on this new evidence and other investigative means and said they found Cottrell's body on July 6.
Police said they believe Morris holds 'crucial' information in the investigation. They added that he had been seen by and had spoken to officers before Cottrell's body was found. However, they also said Morris, his family and his legal counsel have not spoken to detectives.
On Wednesday, Morris' attorney, based out of Birmingham, Alabama, released the following statement:
Mr. Morris is a college-educated veteran whom has served his country faithfully as a Marine. he has no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions. Despite the false narratives that are being promulgated about him in this situation, he loved Deundray Cottrell and is currently grieving the death of his loved one. Mr. Morris wants answers as well and is awaiting those answers after a full and thorough investigation has been completed. Under the advice of counsel, he will not be giving any further statements at this time.
Birmingham Police have not provided an official timeline of the events that unfolded that evening. The only explanation of the circumstances that led up to Cottrell's disappearance has been told by his family.
Police said the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Cottrell's manner of death as a homicide. Adding this is the city's 72 murder investigations in 2024. On Wednesday evening, police reiterated Morris was the last person to see or hear from Cottrell before his disappearance.
Birmingham Police is asking anyone with information on the case to call their Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.