Authorities in Alabama are questioning a truck driver after his girlfriend’s body was found in a ditch in Phil Campbell.
Woman’s Body Discovered In Ditch
On Sunday night, the body of 39-year-old April Welch Hamm was found near the intersection of Highway 237 and Woodard Road by a resident riding a four wheeler.
There was evident trauma to Hamm’s head and face, but the cause of death has not yet been determined.
Driver Says Woman Jumped Out Of Truck During Argument
Later Sunday night, Hamm’s boyfriend, a 39 year old truck driver was taken in for questioning. The truck driver said that he had picked Hamm up from a party in his truck to take her back to their home when the couple started arguing.
He told police that because of the argument, he turned the truck around to take Hamm back to the party. The argument continued, he said, and finally she opened up the door of the truck and threw herself out.
The truck driver reported that he stopped the truck and got out to look for Hamm, but could find no trace of her.
No Charges Have Been Filed
According to Phil Campbell police, “At this point, we don’t have anything to dispute that.” The truck driver was released from police custody and no charges were filed.
Hamm’s body was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.
Police urge anyone with information on Hamm’s death to contact them at 205-993-5313.
Death investigation underway in Franklin County of a woman found in a ditch near HWY 237. I’ll have more information @waff48 tonight. pic.twitter.com/PZKnQrTDzn
— Lauren Scharf (@LaurenScharfTV) October 3, 2016
Sources:
WAAY TV
WTVM
Franklin County Times
The Phil Campbell Times Daily