Missing man from Birmingham found dead – police search for suspect

From Tribune staff reports

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The body of a Birmingham man who went missing on July 4 has been found. The cause of death has been determined to be homicide, according to BPD Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

Deundray Cottrell, 31, was last seen on July 4 in the 7900 block of 4th Avenue South in East Lake.

That evening, officers were dispatched to a missing person case and learned that Cottrell had disappeared after spending time with friends and family at a family member’s home.

On Friday, July 5, police began searching the area where Cottrell was last seen and found some of Cottrell’s clothing.

A community member also provided officers with surveillance footage showing Cottrell walking in the area.

On Saturday, July 6, officers from the East Precinct were searching the area of ​​the 7800 block of 5th Avenue South when they discovered Cottrell’s body.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy on Cottrell and concluded that the cause of death was homicide.

The BPD is currently searching for Julian Taylor Morris, Cottrell’s partner, who is a person of interest in the murder investigation.

Julian Taylor Morris is 31 years old, 1.68 m tall and weighs 72 kg.

Anyone with information on Morris’ whereabouts can contact the BPD at (205) 328-9311 or Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.