A 28-year-old Alabama man has been charged with murder after police found human remains believed to be of a missing woman on his property. The case has shocked the Florence community and drawn attention due to the violent details surrounding the incident.
Woman Reported Missing After Leaving Hotel
Autumn Paige Strickland, 38, was reported missing and endangered by the Florence Police Department on May 18. She was last seen just after 2 a.m. on May 17, wearing a black tank top and jean shorts while leaving a local hotel.
Police initially launched a search for Strickland after she failed to return or contact anyone. Her sudden disappearance raised alarm bells among family members and law enforcement.
Suspect Arrested Days Later
On May 20, just three days after Strickland was last seen, police arrested Logan Rogers, 28, in the 2200 block of North Wood Avenue for attempted murder. Authorities believed Strickland had been intentionally struck by a vehicle, although her body had not yet been found at the time of the arrest.
Later that day, police found human remains on Rogers’ property, reportedly in a burn barrel. The remains were sent to a lab for official identification. Following this discovery, Rogers’ charge was upgraded from attempted murder to murder.
Brutal Crime Details Unfold
According to court documents cited by AL.com, investigators allege that Rogers struck Strickland twice with a Kia Soul near the 1600 block of North Wood Avenue. He then reportedly left the scene, only to return about 30 minutes later in another vehicle.
Rogers is accused of placing her body into a pickup truck and taking it back to his home, where detectives later found charred human remains in a burn barrel. Authorities believe this was a deliberate attempt to dispose of the body.
Suspect Has Violent History
Rogers had previous run-ins with the law. Earlier this year, he was arrested for terroristic threats and domestic violence after allegedly threatening to kill his parents. Based on his criminal history and the violent nature of the current charges, Judge Will Motlow denied him bond.
In the court’s decision, the judge wrote, “Due to the brutal nature of the alleged offense and the defendant’s history of domestic violence, the court finds that no conditions or set of conditions can adequately ensure the safety of the public.”
Rogers remains in custody at the Lauderdale County Jail without bond.
Community Reacts to Tragic Case
The case has stunned residents of Florence, Alabama. Many are still waiting for the lab to officially confirm the identity of the remains, though investigators are confident they belong to Autumn Strickland.
Police continue to gather evidence as they build a stronger case against Rogers. Meanwhile, the victim’s family is left mourning a devastating loss and waiting for justice.