Tabatha Murphy Hancock, a 28-year-old White woman from Woodland, Alabama, was found dead on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, in a case that stunned the small community. Her death was the result of a violent attack that also claimed the life of her eight-month-old son, Logan. Authorities discovered their bodies, both with gunshot wounds, inside their home.
Investigators quickly identified Tabatha's husband, 28-year-old Bill Hancock, as the suspect.
At the time of the incident, Bill Hancock was an Oxford Police Officer. The investigation concluded that he shot and killed his wife and their infant son before taking his own life in a double murder-suicide. The Randolph County Sheriff's Office, after a preliminary investigation, turned the case over to the Alabama Bureau of Investigations.
Tabatha was described by family and friends as a caring and devoted mother and wife. She was an active member of her community and Jordan's Chapel Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher. She had been a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America and was a recipient of their Gold Award. After graduating from Woodland High School in 2000 and later from the University of West Georgia, she worked as a post-closing team leader for a local bank. Early reports indicated that the couple had been experiencing marital difficulties, which may have been a contributing factor to the tragic events.
