Suspect In Paighton Houston Case Back In Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — The lone suspect thus far in the death investigation of Trussville resident Paighton Houston has been returned to Jefferson County after his arrest in Ohio. Fredrick Hampton, who is charged with abuse of a corpse — not with Houston's death — was captured Jan. 29 by U.S. Marshals in Cleveland.

Hampton is being housed in the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer, according to Deputy Chief David Agee of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Hampton is being held without bond for this case.

Houston, who disappeared Dec. 20, was found buried in a shallow grave next to an abandoned home in Hueytown Jan. 3. An autopsy could not determine the cause of death, but toxicology examinations revealed Houston died from an accidental drug overdose.

Houston was reported missing 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.

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.