Atlanta News category interest

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The search for a person of interest is ongoing after the death of a metro Atlanta man in Alabama. Deundray Cottrell, 31, was last seen alive while visiting family in Birmingham on the Fourth of July.

Birmingham police found his body in that same neighborhood Saturday. They said 31-year-old Julian Morris was with him and went missing at the same time.

Police want to bring him in for questioning, believing he may have been the last person to see or hear from Cottrell. Meanwhile, family and friends are expressing how tremendous the loss is for them.

RELATED: Death of Deundray Cottrell ruled as a homicide, BPD searching for person of interest

“He was the embodiment of the word ‘love,’” said Angelica Harris, Cottrell’s sister, who lives in Birmingham. “We cry as we’re supposed to, but because he was filled with so much joy and we had so many great times and because he lived such an outstanding life, we always come back up for air and end up laughing and hugging.”

Police have ruled Cottrell’s death a homicide, but have not said exactly how he died.

Harris said her brother was pursuing a Ph.D. and moved to Atlanta to chase his dreams.