Mystery as Atlanta man Deundray Cottrell is found murdered two hours after fleeing house party - as his sister speaks out
The sister of an Atlanta man who was murdered after allegedly fleeing a house party in strange circumstances has spoken about the bizarre tragedy.
Doctoral student Deundray Cottrell, 31, vanished from his sister's Birmingham Alabama home during the July 4th weekend.
He was missing for two days before police recovered his body not far from where he disappeared.
The last known person to see Cottrell was his boyfriend Julian Morris, 31, who told his family that Cottrell had leapt from a balcony before fleeing the scene.
'My children started to pop fireworks and because my brother had his dog with him, he was gonna run into the house real quick and go and check on the dog,' Angelica Cottrell told WSBTV.
Deundray Cottrell, 31, vanished from his sister's Birmingham Alabama home during the July 4th weekend
'He [Morris] told us that when he jumped, he bounced...got up and jumped the fence and took off running,' she said.
However, something about Morris' demeanor seemed off and Angelica says that while people were out frantically searching for her brother, Morris remained behind and fixed himself a plate.
'While we looked – Julian didn't. He was sitting there eating, and he looked at me and said omg the food is so good,' Angelica added.
Her unease only grew and she ended up kicking Morris out, fearing that he had more knowledge than it seemed.
'Julian knows everything and he made a point to keep reminding me throughout his rants that he was a marine,' she said.
Police now wish to speak with Morris in connection to the murder. He is described as 5'6" and around 160 pounds.
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help with the investigation.
Cottrell was the CEO of dance troupe Skiiboyz, a well-known group in Atlanta which Morris is also a member of.
The last known person to see Cottrell was his boyfriend Julian Morris, 31, who told his family that Cottrell had leapt from a balcony before fleeing the scene
Cottrell was the CEO of dance troupe Skiiboyz, a well-known group in Atlanta which Morris is also a member of
Among those paying tribute to Cottrell was his close friend DeEric Garnell who honors the 'suave, chill' Cottrell.
'My entire heart has been ripped out of my body,' he wrote on Instagram.
'When I got the call you were missing I dropped everything, got my mother, and rushed to Birmingham. I never stopped searching for you.
'Knocking on random people’s doors just to get the camera footage, talking to the Birmingham Detective for hours just to get them to bring in K9. I needed you with me. I wasn’t gonna stop until I could have you back with me.
'Lord help me handle this. I need Dre. I wish I never let y'all go to Birmingham without me.
'Good people are hurting from your loss. Your impact is felt worldwide. We love you, we miss you. No one can ever replace you.'
East Precinct officers were dispatched to a missing person call at a residence in the 7900 Block of 4th Avenue South on July 4.
A huge search was launched and on July 5, some of Cottrell's clothes were located in the area.
Cottrell's sister Angelica Cottrell claimed that Morris was acting suspiciously after her brother disappeared
A member of the public provided footage of Cottrell walking in the area.
But the next day, officers searched the area of 7800 Block of 5th Avenue South and discovered the body.
The Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office is due to perform an autopsy on Cottrell to determine the cause and manner of death.
DailyMail.com has contacted Morris for comment.
