2 Alabama juveniles charged after 71-year-old’s body found in hand-dug grave
08/01/2022 3:47 pm PDT
CHILTON COUNTY, Ala. (TCD) -- Two juvenile males were charged after the body of a 71-year-old man was discovered in a grave dug by hand.
According to a news release from the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, May 5, deputies responded to a wooded area near Alabama Highway 145 to a report of a suspicious incident. At the scene, authorities reportedly found Thomas Creel’s body in a hand-dug grave.
The Sheriff’s Office said the body was "partially decomposed."
The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences reportedly identified the body as Creel’s, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Upon further investigation, the Sheriff’s Office said two juvenile males, whose names were not disclosed, were charged with first-degree murder and burglary.
Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon told the Birmingham Real-Time News that the suspects and the victim knew each other.
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