Two Charged After Missing Tuscaloosa Man Found Dead

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Two Tuscaloosa County residents have been charged with abuse of a corpse after the body of a Tuscaloosa man missing for the last several weeks was recovered Thursday night.

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As Patch previously reported, 35-year-old Braxton Connell was last seen at the Piggly Wiggly in Alberta on Oct. 2, with family members telling police that he had plans to play golf with his friends but never showed up.

Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said in a press release on Friday that TPD's investigation developed a group of individuals and a residence in Coaling where it was believed that Connell was last known to have been.

Kennedy went on to say that during initial interviews with these subjects, TPD investigators believed their statements were suspicious and the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit was contacted to aid in the investigation.

According to Kennedy, the investigation resulted in Connell's body being located late Thursday night in a wooded area off of Highway 216.

"At this time the victim’s cause of death is pending autopsy and examination by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences," he said. "Illegal drugs are believed to be a factor in this case."

Kennedy then said Ricky Duncan, 45, and Bettie Williamson, 64, were both charged with abuse of a corpse, before saying additional charges are possible.

According to Alabama Code Section 13A-11-13, abuse of a corpse is a Class C felony, which is punishable with a minimum sentence of one year and a day in prison and a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Bonds for Duncan and Williamson were set at $2,500 each.

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