In the winter of 2018, a 17-year-old Black male named Daniel Lee Rickett vanished from Birmingham, Alabama. He was last seen on February 7, 2018. For over two years, his disappearance remained a mystery, leaving his family in agonizing uncertainty. The painful answer to their questions would finally come to light in the summer of 2020.
In July of that year, workers surveying a heavily wooded area in southwest Birmingham stumbled upon a grim scene.
They discovered the burned-out shell of a car, and inside and around the vehicle, scattered skeletal remains. Dental records would later confirm the remains belonged to Daniel Rickett. The investigation into his disappearance then turned into a homicide investigation, as it was determined that the young man had been shot to death.
The discovery of Daniel's remains brought a painful closure to his family, who had spent years searching for him. Despite the confirmation of his tragic death, a crucial piece of the puzzle remains missing. To date, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Daniel Rickett. The Birmingham Police Department's investigation into his death is ongoing as they continue to seek answers and justice for the slain teenager.
