Foul Play Not Suspected After UA Employee Found Dead

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit does not believe foul play was involved as it moves forward with a death investigation involving a University of Alabama employee.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multiagency unit, told local media Monday afternoon that Tuscaloosa Police and the University of Alabama Police Department responded around 9 a.m. to an address on Pinehurst Drive on a medical call.

Kennedy said a UA employee was found dead while operating some lawn equipment.

He then said the unit was requested to begin an investigation at the request of the medical examiner at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

"There are no initial signs of foul play," Kennedy said. "VCU involvement is standard in deaths that are not medically attended."

Kennedy went on to say that in suspected non-criminal cases, VCU does not normally issue statements to safeguard the privacy of the deceased and their families.

However, he explained that an exception was made in this case due to a large social media presence and interest due to this case’s connection to the university.

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