Family of Deundray Cottrell Seeks Justice: Boyfriend Suspected in Mysterious Death

The Fourth of July celebration turned into a nightmare for the family of Deundray Cottrell when he mysteriously disappeared from the gathering, only to be found dead two days later. The 31-year-old doctoral student had traveled from Atlanta to Birmingham, Ala., with his boyfriend Julian Taylor Morris to visit family for the holiday.

Authorities were alerted when Cottrell went missing from the residence where he was last seen. A search was launched, and Cottrell’s clothing items were found in the area along with surveillance footage of him walking nearby. Tragically, Cottrell’s body was discovered just a few blocks away from the residence, and his death was ruled a homicide by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Suspicion now falls on Morris, who was the last person to see Cottrell alive. According to Cottrell’s sister, Morris claimed that Cottrell had run off through the backyard, leaving behind his belongings. However, his behavior during the search raised red flags for the family, with Angelica Cottrell recalling Morris’s bizarre actions and statements.

Desperate for answers, the family is urging anyone with information on Morris’s whereabouts to come forward. CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for tips leading to Morris’s location, and the Birmingham Police Department is actively seeking any information related to the case. As the investigation unfolds, the family is left grappling with the loss of their loved one and seeking justice for Cottrell’s untimely death.