Foul Play Suspected, One Person Identified After Remains Of Two People Found In Holt

HOLT, AL — The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit says investigators believe criminal activity resulted in two bodies having to be recovered from a burned up trailer in Holt Wednesday afternoon.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multiagency unit, identified 42-year-old Eric Shane Hatter as one of the deceased individuals found, while the remains of the other person have not been positively identified as of Friday.

Kennedy said Hatter resided at the address in the 1900 block of Garber Street.

"The callers had come to the residence to check on family members, who they had been unable to reach on the phone for several days," he said in a press release on Friday. "When they arrived they found the residence, a mobile home, had burned to the ground. They contacted the Sheriff’s Office, and deputies discovered the remains of two individuals in the fire debris."

In an update on details, Kennedy said it is now believed that fire the occurred during the overnight hours between Monday, May 9 and Tuesday. As Patch previously reported on Thursday, the fire went unreported to Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue.

The recovered remains were then sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy and identification.

"Based on facts gathered during the initial stages of the investigation and the findings from the autopsy, the deaths have been determined to have been the result of foul play, or criminal acts," Kennedy said. "This case in under active investigation, and at this time, we do not believe there is any danger to the area or community."

Kennedy then said those who have any information on Eric Hatter or his residence are asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690.

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