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Black life another casualty of racist police brutality.

Black man Deundary Cottrell disappears after checking on his dog—found dead. Police insist it's a mere 'homicide'.

Published July 8, 2024 at 4:20pm by Mary Walrath-Holdridge


Black, Gay PhD Student Killed After Running for His Life; Partner Missing

Deundray Cottrell, a 31-year-old Black, gay, Atlanta-based PhD student, was found dead on Saturday, just two days after he was last seen alive at a family gathering in Birmingham, Alabama. Cottrell's body was discovered under "suspicious" circumstances, and his death has been ruled a homicide.

Cottrell's loved ones and the community are baffled by the strange series of events leading up to his death. doorbell footage captured Cottrell racing through yards and hopping gates as if he were "looking for refuge."

He went and checked on the dog and I never saw him again.
- Angelica Harris, Cottrell's sister

Cottrell was a talented individual with a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's in marketing. He was the CEO of a dance troupe and an influential social media personality, showcasing his skills in modeling, mixology, and dance.

Cottrell's partner, Julian Taylor Morris, is also missing. Morris is a person of interest in the investigation, as he is believed to be the last person to have seen or heard from Cottrell before his disappearance.

The two had arrived in Birmingham together to celebrate the holiday with Cottrell's family. However, things took a tragic turn when Cottrell went upstairs to check on his dog due to fireworks, never to be seen alive again.

The family noticed Morris acting "erratically" during the search for Cottrell, and he hasn't been seen since Friday morning.

Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information on Morris' whereabouts.

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Read more: 'Running for his life': PhD student's final moments deepen mystery for family, police