On a summer evening in Shelby, Alabama, the life of 56-year-old David Allen Yearber came to a tragic end. On July 25, 2021, deputies from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a possible prowler at a residence on Pine Street around 9:00 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Yearber, a male resident of the home, unresponsive in his yard with serious injuries.
First responders attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The initial investigation into Yearber's death quickly turned into a homicide case. The scene was secured by investigators who began to piece together the events that led to his death. Their efforts led them to identify a suspect, and on September 29, 2021, 28-year-old Brandon Chase Bass of Columbiana was arrested and charged with murder. A bond was set at $300,000. It was later revealed that Bass was Yearber's stepson.
For years, the case seemed to revolve around the single suspect. However, investigators continued to work the case, and new information came to light. This led to a significant development in September 2025. On September 30, following the direction of the Shelby County District Attorney's Office, investigators obtained a murder warrant for a second suspect: Yearber's then-wife, 60-year-old Debbie J. Bass. She was arrested in connection with the 2021 killing of her husband.
Following their arrests, both Brandon Chase Bass and Debbie J. Bass were released on bond. As of the latest reports, both are awaiting trial for the murder of David Allen Yearber. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office has emphasized their commitment to a thorough investigation and the pursuit of justice in the case.
