Atlanta man found dead in Alabama while visiting family for holidays

Officers began searching the area Friday and discovered pieces of Cottrell’s clothing, Birmingham police said. A community member also shared surveillance video of Cottrell walking in the neighborhood, authorities said.

On Saturday, police said they discovered Cottrell’s body in the 7800 block of 5th Avenue South, about two blocks from where he was last seen. The cause of his death will be determined by an autopsy, authorities said.

Cottrell was working in marketing in Atlanta and working toward completing his doctorate, his sister told Channel 2.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham Police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information shared with Crime Stoppers.