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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

Sheriff: 3 charged with murder of man found in shallow grave in northeast Alabama

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (AP) – Three people were arrested Tuesday in connection to the killing of an Alabama man, whose body was found in a shallow grave, authorities said.

Dale McKee, 33, Aprille Smith, 26, and Dylan Smith, 28, were charged Tuesday with murder in the death of 35-year-old Mark Wayne Motley Jr., news outlets reported.

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Steve Guthrie said Motley was killed by blunt force trauma. His body was found in a shallow grave Monday afternoon in the Asbury community, Guthrie said.

Guthrie declined to comment on a suspected motive for the slaying but said Motley, McKee, Aprille Smith and Dylan Smith were acquaintances.

The investigation was ongoing.