A 44-year-old Alabama man is facing a murder charge after investigators alleged he killed a young woman, placed her body in a trash bag, and abandoned her remains along a highway before claiming that she had died by suicide. Authorities say evidence collected during the investigation contradicts the suspect’s version of events and points to homicide.
Alabama Man Charged in Death of Missing Woman
Randall Lendell Dejourney has been charged with murder in connection with the death of 23-year-old Karen Hollis. Hollis was reported missing on May 8 and was later found dead on May 16 in Greene County, Alabama.
According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, investigators believe Dejourney killed Hollis inside her apartment before transporting and disposing of her body.
A judge ordered Dejourney to remain in custody without bond following a probable cause hearing held on May 26.
Karen Hollis Reported Missing
The investigation began after Hollis was reported missing to the Northport Police Department on May 8.
Family members became concerned when they were unable to contact her. Authorities later discovered her mobile phone in an area where investigators initially suspected a vehicle accident may have occurred.
As the investigation progressed, detectives found evidence suggesting that foul play may have been involved in her disappearance.
Law enforcement agencies launched an extensive search effort that included examining electronic records, executing search warrants, and interviewing witnesses.
Surveillance and Phone Data Become Key Evidence
According to court documents, surveillance footage allegedly showed Dejourney and Hollis together at her apartment on May 8.
Investigators claim the footage showed Dejourney leaving the apartment and later returning while carrying a blue storage tote and a trash bag.
Authorities also examined cellphone records and reportedly found simultaneous movement involving both the suspect’s and victim’s phones along Interstate 59.
Prosecutors argue that the digital evidence helped investigators establish a timeline and connect Dejourney to the disposal of Hollis’ body.
Family Discovers Victim’s Remains
Karen Hollis’ remains were eventually found by family members who were searching an area identified through electronic evidence gathered during the investigation.
Authorities said her body was discovered inside a garbage bag along the side of a highway in Greene County.
The discovery marked a major turning point in the investigation and led detectives to intensify their focus on Dejourney as a person of interest.
Following the recovery of the remains, investigators continued collecting physical and forensic evidence to determine how Hollis died.
Suspect Claimed Victim Died by Suicide
According to investigators, Dejourney told detectives that Hollis had died by hanging inside her apartment.
He allegedly claimed that after finding her dead, he placed her body into a trash bag and disposed of the remains.
However, prosecutors say the evidence did not support that explanation.
Court documents indicate that investigators discovered blood inside Hollis’ bathroom, raising additional questions about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Autopsy Findings Contradict Suspect’s Story
Medical examiners later determined that Hollis died from asphyxiation and ruled her death a homicide.
According to prosecutors, the injuries documented during the autopsy were not consistent with death by hanging.
The findings led authorities to upgrade the charges against Dejourney. He had initially been charged with ab*se of a corpse before the autopsy results became available.
Investigators now allege that Hollis was strangled to death inside her apartment.
Relationship Between Suspect and Victim
Authorities said Dejourney and Hollis were acquaintances. Investigators learned that Dejourney was reportedly a friend of one of Hollis’ neighbours.
At this stage, law enforcement officials have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged killing.
Detectives continue to review evidence and interview witnesses as they work to determine what led to the incident.
Family and Boyfriend Recall Final Hours
According to family members, data from Hollis’ Life360 application showed her leaving her Northport apartment in a vehicle around 4:25 a.m. on the day she disappeared.
The application reportedly tracked her movement through downtown before showing her travelling onto Interstate 20. Family members said the app later recorded what appeared to be a sudden hard braking event.
Hollis’ boyfriend, Zackary Slaughter, told local media that they had exchanged text messages in the hours before her disappearance.
According to Slaughter, the final message he received from Hollis stated that she was going to a store to buy a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
Previous Domestic Violence Arrest Raised by Prosecutors
During court proceedings, prosecutors also noted that Dejourney had previously been arrested on allegations involving domestic violence and strangulation.
While those allegations are separate from the current case, prosecutors referenced them during discussions regarding bond and public safety concerns.
The court ultimately ordered that Dejourney remain jailed without bond while the murder case proceeds.
Investigation Continues
Investigators say they have gathered extensive physical, electronic, and witness evidence during the course of the investigation.
Authorities continue to analyse information collected through multiple search warrants as they prepare the case for prosecution.
Dejourney remains in the Tuscaloosa County Jail, and details regarding his next court appearance have not yet been released.
