Remains identified as missing Sylacauga man
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Remains found last month have been positively identified as those of Shannon Lee Morris, who had been missing from Sylacauga since May.
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Remains found last month have now been positively identified as Shannon Lee Morris, a Sylacauga man who had been missing since May.
As reported previously, Morris, a 35-year-old Black male, was reported missing from Sylacauga on May 25. Initially the Sylacauga Police Department oversaw the case and investigation.
However, on September 24 the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office found the vehicle in which Morris was last seen in Coosa County. The case was then turned over to the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office, who has since overseen the investigation during the last seven months.
Sheriff Michael Howell said that, in addition to seeking information from the public, his office conducted multiple searches for Morris. Cadaver dogs with the North Alabama Search Dog Association assisted during two of the searches.
It was during the third extensive search conducted on Friday, March 13, that investigators with the Sheriff’s Office located what were believed to be human remains. The scene was immediately secured, and investigators, crime scene personnel and other assisting agencies began processing the area.
Howell said that they believed the remains were likely those of Morris, but that the remains had to be transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for examination and positive identification to confirm.
On April 22, the Sheriff’s Office was notified by ADFS that the human remains were positively identified as belonging to Morris.
Howell explained that Morris had been in his girlfriend’s vehicle and went to see her at work, with her working at the Exxon at the corner of County Road 49 and U.S. Highway 280 at the time. That was the last place he was seen before being reported missing in May.
He said when they found the vehicle in Coosa County in September, they immediately searched the area for any signs of Morris. However, he said it was a heavily wooded area consisting of hundreds of acres.
The further searches ultimately led to Morris’ remains being located off of County Road 116 in the Mount Olive community, in the area where the vehicle had been found. County Road 116 is located off of County Road 49, not far from the Exxon station where Morris was last seen.
Howell said that as part of the ongoing investigation he is now awaiting autopsy results to help determine the cause of death and whether any criminal activity may have been involved or if foul play is suspected. In the meantime, anyone who has any information about Morris’ disappearance is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 256-377-4922 or online at www.coosacountyso.org.
Howell has regularly been in contact with Morris’ mother since taking over the case.
“While it is not the outcome we wanted, it is good to be able to give her some kind of closure in her son’s case,” Howell said.
Howell added that he is praying for Morris’ family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Howell further thanked numerous agencies for their assistance in this case, including Coosa County deputies, investigators and reserve deputies; Alexander City Rescue Squad; Hanover Volunteer Fire Department; Stewartville Volunteer Fire Department; Richville Volunteer Fire Department; Kellyton Volunteer Fire Department; and Police Chief Matt Cook with the Goodwater Police Department.
