NORTHPORT, Ala. — The disappearance of 23-year-old Karen Deann Hollis has led to serious charges against a Tuscaloosa man, drawing attention to the role of digital evidence in criminal investigations. After an extensive search, authorities discovered Hollis’ body, leading to murder and abuse-of-a-corpse charges against 44-year-old Randall Lendell Dejourney.
Dejourney is currently held without bond following a judge’s determination that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case. Initially arrested on the charge of abuse of a corpse after Hollis’ remains were found on May 16 in Greene County, he faces a murder charge after a preliminary autopsy revealed she died by asphyxia, with her death ruled a homicide.
The investigation began on May 8 when Hollis was reported missing. Family members grew increasingly concerned, believing that foul play was involved. Northport police quickly enlisted the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit to aid in the search, which transitioned from locating a missing person to a death investigation when her body was discovered more than a week later, not far from a major highway.
Key to the investigation were electronic records, particularly from a Life360 app that tracked Hollis’ movements. It indicated she left her apartment at 4:25 a.m. on the day of her disappearance, heading toward Interstate 20. Her boyfriend, Zackary Slaughter, mentioned that she had sent him several concerning texts earlier that morning.
Police also gathered significant physical evidence, including video footage from Hollis’ apartment complex that reportedly captured her and Dejourney together prior to her departure. Witness accounts and security footage detailed his return to the complex with a large bag, raising suspicions about his involvement.
Investigators later retrieved Hollis’ phone near the crash site, guided by a crash alert from her device. This led them to trace Dejourney’s movements, supporting the theory that he transported her body away from the apartment before it was found along the roadway.
As the search concluded, community members and volunteers played a crucial role, with family members actively participating to locate Hollis. Her sister, Brandi Hollis, described the family’s anguish during the days of uncertainty leading up to the discovery, emphasizing that her sister was a beloved individual with dreams of simple pleasures like fishing and spending time with loved ones.
Dejourney’s legal predicament shifted after the autopsy results prompted an updated charge. Initially incarcerated with a bond set at $15,000, he now remains in custody without bail, owing to Alabama’s Aniah’s Law, which allows for preventive detention in violent felony cases.
During preliminary hearings, contrasting narratives emerged, including a claim by Dejourney suggesting Hollis had hanged herself. However, the medical examiner’s findings contradicted this assertion, citing injuries inconsistent with hanging.
While the case awaits further proceedings, including a grand jury review to decide on potential indictments, investigators continue to analyze evidence, including witness testimony and electronic data. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences is expected to finalize reports related to the autopsy and associated evidence.
As the legal process unfolds, the family of Hollis remains in mourning, grieving the loss of a vibrant young woman who touched the lives of many in her community.