Investigators said additional charges could follow as autopsy results are completed in the death of Karen Deann Hollis.
NORTHPORT, Ala. — A missing Alabama woman was found dead after an eight-day search, and a man already accused of abusing her corpse now faces a murder charge as investigators continue to examine evidence gathered during the case, authorities said.
Karen Deann Hollis, 23, disappeared May 8 after she was last seen in Northport, west of Birmingham. Her disappearance prompted an urgent search involving local law enforcement, relatives and volunteers after officials said she suffered from a medical condition that could affect her judgment. Investigators later identified signs of foul play, executed multiple search warrants and named Randall Lendell Dejourney, 44, as a person of interest before Hollis’ remains were discovered in neighboring Greene County.
Family members and friends spent days searching wooded areas, reviewing tips and sharing flyers online before authorities confirmed Hollis had been found dead on May 16. Investigators said electronic evidence and witness statements helped narrow the search area. Officials from the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation shifted quickly from a missing persons case to a criminal inquiry after detectives uncovered evidence suggesting Hollis had been harmed. Dejourney was initially charged with abuse of a corpse after the body was recovered. Authorities later upgraded the case, saying evidence gathered during the continuing investigation supported a murder charge. Sheriff’s officials did not immediately release detailed information about how Hollis died, pending autopsy findings from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
Investigators said search warrants executed during the case produced physical evidence, digital records and witness interviews that helped establish a timeline of Hollis’ movements before she vanished. Detectives have not publicly described the exact relationship between Hollis and Dejourney, though court filings indicate investigators had focused on him before her remains were found. Authorities said Hollis’ family and friends played a significant role in locating key evidence connected to the case. Law enforcement agencies from Greene County assisted with recovery efforts after search teams located human remains in a rural area. Officials have not said whether the location where Hollis was found was also the scene of the killing. Investigators also have not publicly identified a motive. Court records showed Dejourney remained in custody following the filing of criminal charges.
Hollis’ disappearance drew widespread attention across west Alabama because of the speed with which family members mobilized online and in person to search for her. Friends described her as outgoing and close with relatives who remained active throughout the investigation. During the search, volunteers distributed missing-person posters throughout Northport and nearby communities while social media posts circulated details about her last known movements. Authorities issued a missing and endangered person alert after learning Hollis had a condition that could leave her vulnerable. Cases involving missing adults often become more difficult as time passes, investigators said, especially when evidence trails grow cold or electronic activity suddenly stops. In this case, officials said detectives were able to develop leads quickly enough to identify a person of interest within days of Hollis disappearing.
Prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence as the case moves through Alabama’s court system. Investigators said the ongoing autopsy could determine whether more charges are appropriate and help establish the official cause and manner of death. Authorities have not announced a preliminary hearing date. Detectives also have not ruled out the possibility that additional people could face charges related to the investigation or disposal of evidence. The sheriff’s office said investigators continue reviewing electronic communications, surveillance footage and forensic findings collected during the search. Officials urged witnesses who may have seen Hollis during the hours before she disappeared to continue cooperating with investigators as the case proceeds.
The emotional toll on Hollis’ relatives became visible throughout the weeklong search and after authorities confirmed her death. Family members posted tributes online describing their grief and disbelief. Friends gathered in Northport after the discovery to remember Hollis and support relatives coping with the loss. One family member wrote that a “piece of me left with her,” reflecting the devastation surrounding the case. Community members also organized vigils and memorial gatherings while investigators continued collecting evidence. Residents in both Tuscaloosa and Greene counties said the case left many shaken because of how quickly a missing persons investigation became a homicide inquiry. Local officials acknowledged the public attention but said detectives remained focused on building a case supported by forensic evidence and witness testimony.
The investigation remains active as authorities await final autopsy results and prepare for future court proceedings. Officials said additional information could be released in the coming weeks as prosecutors continue reviewing evidence connected to Hollis’ death.
Author note: Last updated May 23, 2026.