In the late spring of 2016, a sense of unease settled over the small community of Empire, Alabama, following the disappearance of 55-year-old Terry Wayne Roberts. A missing person's report was filed on May 28th, sparking concern among those who knew him. The search for Roberts came to a grim conclusion on May 30th, when an investigator, drawn by a strong odor while driving along Allen Ridge Road, made a grisly discovery.
The badly decomposed body of a man was found concealed under a mattress in a ravine, a short distance from Roberts' own home. Forensic analysis would later confirm the remains were those of Terry Wayne Roberts.
The investigation into the death of the male victim quickly intensified. It was determined that he had been fatally shot in the head. Suspicion soon fell upon individuals close to him, leading to the arrest of three people who resided in the same home as Roberts. The suspects were identified as his 23-year-old stepdaughter, Kayla Harris; his 19-year-old stepson, James Lee Harris; and Kayla's 22-year-old boyfriend, Jacob Orr.
Following their arrests in early June, the Walker County Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney announced that charges would be forthcoming. At least one of the individuals was expected to face a murder charge, with potential for additional charges against the other two. The swift arrests brought a sense of resolution to the initial phase of the investigation, though the community was left to grapple with the tragic circumstances of Roberts' death, allegedly at the hands of his own family members.
