Birmingham, AL 02/08/2017
Just after 3:30 pm on Sunday, January 30, deputies were called to a residence on Shady Grove Road to investigate a report of human remains being found nearby.
It was reported that a man had been squirrel hunting in the area and had discovered what he believed to be human skeletal remains. Upon finding the remains he returned home and notified the Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday, January 31, deputies and members of a Forensic Recovery Team from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office recovered the remains and processed the scene for evidence.
The remains were delivered to the coroner’s office for medical examination, identification, and a determination of the cause of death.
The Medical Examiners report determined the remains were those of an 18 to 28-year-old male victim. It is believed the body had been at the location where found for several months. The examination also concluded this case should be investigated as a homicide.
Detectives reviewed missing person cases from the area in attempt to aid in the identification of the victim.
On February 7, 2017, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office positively identified the remains as those of 24-year-old Derek Dewayne Washington of Birmingham. Washington was reported missing to the Birmingham Police Department in April of 2015.
The murder is believed to have taken place in the jurisdiction of Birmingham and the investigation has been turned over to the Birmingham Police Department. Any further inquiries should be directed there.