A decomposing body found in a wooded area in east Birmingham on September 26, 2024 was identified as 40-year-old Dempsey Chevoit Smith. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound, and investigators have classified the case as a homicide.

Local law enforcement opened an investigation after the initial discovery of human remains.

If anyone was in that part of east Birmingham in late September 2024 or has information about Smith’s movements or potential witnesses, please contact the investigators handling the case.