A missing man found dead in an abandoned shed while visiting family in Alabama for the Fourth of July had a personality that was "too big for Birmingham," according to his sister.
Deundray Cottrell, 31, left his hometown a decade ago and relocated to Atlanta, where he pursued a career as a dancer and the CEO of male dance trio Skiiboyz Entertainment, performing alongside both his romantic partners, Julian Morris, and DeEric.
"He was not afraid to do the work," Deundray's sister, Angelica Cottrell said, noting he was destined for greatness, according to WXIA-TV. "At a very young age, my brother's personality was just too big for Birmingham."
So Angelica was caught off guard Thursday when her typically busy sibling and Morris returned to the city and paid her and her kids a surprise visit for the extended holiday weekend. Deundray brushed off the fact that longtime boyfriend, DeEric, was noticeably absent, and the family proceeded to cap off their Fourth of July celebration with fireworks.
"... that's when D (Deundray) decided he would go in and check on their dog," Angelica recalled.
An hour passed before Morris announced to the family Deundray jumped out of a window and ran off.
Loved ones immediately formed a search party, but Morris reportedly stayed behind to eat, and Angelica subsequently kicked him out of her home for his lack of concern.
"He was way too chill," Angelica recalled. "He was acting out of it. Everyone was searching, he was eating, he had no sense of urgency."
Two days later, Deundray's body was found in an abandoned shed about a block away from where he vanished. His death was ruled a homicide and police named Morris a person of interest.
A motive and manner of death have not been disclosed, however a $5000 reward is being offered for information leading to Morris' arrest.
