As Deundray Cottrell's Death Remains Unsolved, His 'Grieving' Partner, Sought by Police, Seeks Answers, Lawyer Says

Weeks ago, Deundray Cottrell, Julian Morris, and DeEric Williams were thriving, described as Atlanta's hottest male performance trio and event hosts on their SkiiBoyz Entertainment Instagram. They were professionally and personally successful, headlining events and enjoying life.

Now, Cottrell is dead, Morris is sought by police for questioning, and Williams is devastated.

“My entire heart has been ripped out of my body,’’ Williams wrote on Facebook. “Good people are hurting.”

“I wish I never let y’all go to Birmingham without me,” Williams added. “No one can ever replace you.”

A week ago, 31-year-old Cottrell, a Woodlawn High School graduate and doctoral student, disappeared while celebrating the Fourth of July with family in East Lake, Birmingham. Two days later, his body was found in a shed just a block from his sister’s home. Authorities have not disclosed how he died.

Birmingham police are searching for Morris, the last person known to have seen Cottrell alive. He has not been charged or publicly identified as a suspect.

Homicide detectives returned to the scene on Tuesday, canvassing the neighborhood, interviewing family members, and gathering evidence.

“He is a missing piece to this puzzle,’’ said Officer Truman Fitzgerald of Morris. “Our main focus right now is locating Julian.”

Attorney Victor Revill, representing Morris, released a statement to 205focus.com on Wednesday.

“Mr. Morris is a college-educated Marine veteran who has served his country faithfully,’’ Revill said. “He has no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions.”

“Despite the false narratives being circulated, he loved Deundray Cottrell and is grieving his loss,’’ Revill added. “Mr. Morris also seeks answers and awaits the results of a thorough investigation.”

The statement did not disclose Morris’s whereabouts or the reason for his absence.

“Upon legal counsel’s advice, he will not be making further statements at this time,’’ Revill stated.

In response to Revill’s statement, Birmingham police said, “Since the discovery of Deundray Cottrell’s body, Julian Morris, his family, and his legal representatives have NOT spoken with BPD detectives. BPD respects Julian Morris’ decision not to provide a statement.”

Cottrell’s family is also desperate for answers.

“Everyone is interested because the story is so bizarre,’’ said Angelica Harris, Cottrell’s sister. “As strange as it sounds to others, we’re just as confused.”

“We can’t sleep; we’re working overtime trying to make sense of it,’’ Harris added. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Cottrell graduated from Woodlawn in 2011, attended Auburn University at Montgomery, and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in marketing from Jacksonville State University. At the time of his disappearance, he was pursuing his doctorate and engaged in various professional endeavors, including freelance marketing, social media consulting, bartending, massage therapy, and photography.

“He was incredibly ambitious and multi-talented,’’ Harris recalled.

Cottrell was widely known and beloved.

“Even though he was laid-back, his energy was infectious,’’ Harris said. “I remember going to the mall with him before SkiiBoyz and social media, and people would ask to take photos with him.”

“He brought life to any situation,’’ she added. “Even during a simple movie night, he made it more entertaining than expected.”

“He was larger than life,’’ Harris emphasized.

Cottrell and Williams had been together for 14 years, starting when Cottrell was 17. Morris joined the relationship about three years ago, and the trio lived and worked together, according to Harris.

On July 4th, Cottrell and Morris arrived in Birmingham around 6 p.m. It was Cottrell’s first visit to his sister’s new home, shared with Brian Harris and their children.