In the small city of Sylacauga, Alabama, the life of 55-year-old Lester Charles Wilson, known to friends and family as 'Tulu,' came to a tragic end in the fall of 2021. On the evening of Saturday, October 2nd, Wilson was discovered with a single, devastating gunshot wound to his head near the 700 block of Billingsley Road. First responders rushed him to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital for emergency medical care.
For nearly a week, he remained on life support, his family holding onto a sliver of hope. Sadly, on Friday, October 8, 2021, Lester Wilson succumbed to his injury. His body was then transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led authorities to a suspect. Agents from the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, working alongside investigators from the Sylacauga Police Department, identified and apprehended 51-year-old Orethaniel Dell Swain in connection with the fatal shooting. Following Wilson's death, Swain was formally charged with manslaughter, a Class 'B' felony in the state of Alabama. After his arrest, Swain was transported to the Talladega County Jail, where his bond was set at $15,000. If convicted of the charge, he faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years and a fine of up to $30,000.
Lester Wilson was remembered by his loved ones as a man with a kind heart who was always willing to lend a helping hand. A graduate of B.B. Comer Memorial High School, he possessed a passion for drawing and building. His obituary paints a picture of a man who, despite his own struggles, was a jack of all trades and a cherished member of his community. He was a father and a grandfather, and his death left a void in the lives of his family and friends. A graveside service was held for him on Sunday, October 24, 2021, at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Sylacauga, where he was laid to rest.
