Paighton Houston Case: Sheriff Says Suspect Disposed Of Body

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — A warrant has been issued in connection to the disappearance and death of Trussville resident Paighton Houston. The Jefferson County Sheriff's office said a warrant has been issued for 50-year-old Fredrick Hampton, who is charged with abuse of a corpse, which is a class C felony.

Deputy Chief David Agee of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said Hampton is not in custody and is currently at large.

Agee said the department has evidence that Houston and Hampton were together the night Houston disappeared. "We have evidence that after she died, her body was disposed of by Frederick Hampton," Agee said. "The next step is to find Hampton and take him into custody."

Agee added that Hampton knew the area in which Houston's body was found, and that the property where Houston was found was owned by a relative of Hampton's.

Agee also said Hampton is a registered sex offender, and is also being charged with violating sex offender registration laws. Agee also said Hampton may be in Georgia, but did not specify where.

Houston, who disappeared Dec. 20, was found dead and buried in a shallow grave next to an abandoned home in Hueytown Jan. 3. An autopsy last week could not determine the cause of death, but toxicology examinations are underway.

Houston was reported missing Dec. 20 after she was reportedly seen leaving the Tin Roof, a bar in Birmingham's Lakeview district, with two unidentified men. Houston also is said to have texted a co-worker saying she was in trouble that night.