Post by Scumhunter on Feb 9, 2016 16:54:23 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: wbrc.com via Talladega County Sheriff's Office)
LINCOLN, Alabama - The family of a woman who vanished near the Talladega Superspeedway during October's race weekend and was later found dead has released a statement following a police ruling that her death was a homicide.
Theresa Benn's body was found Nov. 22 in the Jackson Shoals area of Choccolocco Creek. Lincoln police officials last week announced that Benn was slain. Benn's sister, Tonya Sellers, released this statement today to AL.com:
"We are truly heartbroken by the update of Theresa's death being ruled a homicide. Her family would like to personally thank the community volunteers, Lincoln Police Department, members of Texas Equusearch team, Eastaboga Baptist Church, Etowah, Talladega and Calhoun county agencies for taking time out of your lives and traveling many miles to be there for our family during the search efforts.
"We are truly appreciative for the time spent that resulted in a successful recovery of Theresa on Nov 22nd. Although not the outcome that each of us had hoped for, but peace in knowing that she is found. We can now lay her to rest with the dignity as she so rightfully deserves. We will continue to seek the truth and a resolution to this tragedy. We ask that anyone with any information about this case, please contact Lincoln PD at 205-763-4070. Again, our sincere and heartfelt Thank You to all involved in bringing her home."
Benn was reported missing just before 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19. Benn, who also went by Theresa Andrews, her maiden name, and Theresa Dulaney, her married name, was last seen in the predawn hours of that Sunday on Speedway Boulevard in Lincoln.
Authorities said Benn was with her husband prior to leaving him behind because she wanted to go to the races and he did not. Lincoln police Investigator Amanda Crow said the woman's husband, Kevin Dulaney, told investigators he dropped her off on or near Eastaboga Road about 2:15 a.m. that Sunday.
He said he last saw her walking toward the track. Investigators haven't determined whether she ever made it to the Geico 500 later that day. She did not go to Saturday's race.
Prior to her disappearance, Benn was a stay-at-home mother. She had two grown children and a 15-year-old son who lives at home.
Benn's body was found Nov. 22 in the Jackson Shoals area of Choccolocco Creek. Police have said they are still waiting on DNA test results, but are confident they will confirm the body to be that of Benn.
Investigators have not said how Benn was killed and have not made any arrests. "We are conducting an active homicide investigation at this time and are pursuing all credible leads,'' Police Chief Darren Britton said in a press release issued Dec. 22.
Anyone with information is asked to call Lincoln police Investigator Amanda Crow at 205-763-4070 or central dispatch at 256-761-1556.
Thoughts? The reason I'm placing this case in the unsolved on tv section is that it was featured on the syndicated crime show "Crime Watch Daily." I will link to the segment below. It's important to note in addition to the numbers from that news article, you can also call Crime Watch Daily's 24-hour toll free tip line at 1-844-800-CRIME or submit a tip at crimewatchdaily.com
In the segment, a reporter for CWD tracks down Kevin Dulaney (Theresa's husband). He seems hesitant to talk at first but does say he blames himself that he loved Theresa and that he had nothing to do with her murder.
Obvious Dulaney is the last known person to see Theresa alive so he's going to be a person of interest. I still feel it's important to consider all options and not jump to conclusions. Being abandoned on a road at 2:15 in the morning, if Kevin's story is true, there's a number of things that could have happened.
Link to Crime Watch Daily segment: crimewatchdaily.com/2015/11/23/unsolved-woman-killed-on-eve-of-nascar-talladega-race/
Other Relevant Links:
www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/12/family_of_woman_who_disappeare.html
www.facebook.com/Justice-for-Theresa-329663750549603/
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