SHELBY COUNTY, Alabama (WBRC) – A new podcast series on the violent death of Columbiana native Willie Earl Bedford has just launched as investigators reopen this unsolved case.
With the help of retired investigators from the Shelby County Cold Case Squad, the podcast follows the unsolved murder of Willie Bedford.
22 years have passed and there are still no answers.
Investigators said they are working with retired FBI analysts on the podcast to raise public awareness of the incident and ask for help.
“Anyone who takes the law into their own hands and takes a human life is a danger to the community. And if we stand by and allow that danger, we violate the oath we took when we became police officers,” said Investigator Robert O’Connor.
Investigator Alton Sizemore said the force was formed in 2001 under former Sheriff Chris Curry and has since worked on several unsolved murder cases, missing persons cases and even arson cases.
“We are all retired and volunteers. We do this because we want to give back to the community,” said Investigator Sizemore.
Because of their years of experience in law enforcement, the unit was approached by retired FBI agents who wanted to reopen the case and discuss it as part of their FBI Profiler podcast.
“He was known as a drug dealer. Unlike many other victims of violent crime who simply find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was believed that Mr. Bedford may have contributed to his death,” O’Connor said.
“He was not a highly respected person, but he did not deserve to be murdered,” Sizemore said.
These investigators are seeking information from the public that can help close the case and provide closure for the family.
“Over time, sometimes people change their minds. Sometimes they want someone they know to be held accountable. That’s our hope,” Sizemore said.
The investigation has not yet been completed.
Mr Bedford’s body was found in the south of the district.
No one was arrested or charged.
You can find the podcast here.
And if you have any information about the case, you can contact Crime Stoppers.
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