A young Alabama woman who vanished in early May was found dead this weekend, and a man has been arrested in connection with the handling of her remains. Local investigators say the discovery followed days of searching, electronic leads, and cooperation across county lines as the inquiry shifts toward identifying how she died.
Karen Deann Hollis, 23, was reported missing after last being seen around midnight on May 8 in Northport near 43rd Avenue. Her disappearance quickly drew attention from local law enforcement and prompted a missing person alert as detectives searched for leads and possible witnesses.
Authorities noted Hollis was believed to be living with a condition that could impair her judgment, which added urgency to the search and concern among friends and family. Northport police and the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit teamed up early on, treating the case with heightened scrutiny as investigators pieced together physical and digital clues.
A person of interest emerged during the week-long probe, and investigators followed up on the information tied to an electronic device. Family members and friends ultimately located Hollis’ remains in Greene County while searching an area flagged by that device, and law enforcement responded to assist in the recovery.
“The investigation has been a priority for both agencies,” Kennedy said, according to the outlet. Multiple agencies, including the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Greene County District Attorney’s Office, and the county coroner, were involved once the remains were found to ensure a coordinated response and care for the scene.
‘Multiple search warrants were executed, and a great deal of physical, witness, and electronic information was obtained.’ Detectives described a methodical effort that drew on witness statements, forensics, and device data to narrow down areas of interest and develop leads over several days.
The man identified as the person of interest was taken into custody after the discovery. Forty-four-year-old Randall Lendell Dejourney was booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a charge of abuse of a corpse, with bond set at $15,000, and records indicate he remained in custody following the arrest.
Officials sent Hollis’ remains to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy to determine both the cause and manner of death. That examination is expected to guide whether additional charges will be filed, and investigators said the case remains active as they await forensic results.
Family and friends who helped search called on the community during the missing-person phase, keeping the case in public view while police worked through the investigative steps. The collaboration between loved ones and law enforcement was credited with focusing efforts on areas that eventually led to the recovery.
Investigators cautioned that more information will become available as the medical examiner completes its work and detectives follow up on all leads. For now, the focus is on completing the autopsy, preserving evidence, and ensuring the case moves forward with a full review of physical and electronic material.
