Weeks After Deundray Cottrell's Killing, Loved Ones of Dancer and PhD Student Desperately Seek Answers (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Deundray Cottrell.Photo:Deundray Cottrell/Instagram

Deundray Cottrell/Instagram

“Deundray had a personality that was bigger than life,” his sisterAngelica Harris says, remembering her little brother, who was tragically found dead on July 6.

The circumstances surrounding 31-year-oldDeundray Cottrell’sdeath have remained a mystery for more than a month as his loved ones still search for answers.

On July 4, Cottrell was visiting Harris, 35, and her family in Birmingham, Ala., with his romantic and business partner Julian Morris, when he went inside to check on his dog shortly before fireworks began, Harris tells PEOPLE.

When Cottrell never came back outside to watch the fireworks, Harris says Morris told her that Cottrell jumped out of a window in her home and vanished. When Harris realized all of the windows in her home were sealed shut, she asked Morris again about where her brother went. Then, she says, Morris told her that Cottrell actually jumped off of the patio and disappeared.

“I was trying to tell him that I loved him and he jumped,” Morris told Harris, she says.

Harris and her family immediately began searching for Cottrell, but they were unable to find him that evening. The next day, Garnell traveled to Birmingham to help with the search.

Garnell, Cottrell and Morris were all part of Skiiboyz Entertainment, a male trio dancing group in Atlanta. Ga., and they had a large following on social media. Garnell and Cottrell had been in a relationship for 14 years, and the pair met Morris in 2021, Garnell says.

“Our relationship flourished over the years, especially moving to Atlanta and starting a business together,” Garnell tells PEOPLE.

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Garnell describes Cottrell as organized and particular, adding, “He doesn’t take risks.” Given that, he says the idea that Cottrell jumped from a height on July 4, to leave his sister’s house, is hard for him to wrap his head around.

“I just can’t believe that he would do that, especially at a place like his sister’s house, which we’ve [visited] her for years,” Garnell says. “That’s [his] safe place.”

Throughout their 14-year relationship, Garnell grew close to Cottrell’s family, so when they told him Cottrell was missing, he knew he had to help in the search. Garnell arrived in Birmingham on July 5 to look for his partner, to no avail.

“I am extremely worried, and I cannot even sleep,” Garnell says, remembering the agonizing days of not knowing where Cottrell was. “I’m just not understanding what’s going on.”

By this point, Morris had already left. On July 6, Garnell requested search and rescue dogs to help find Cottrell. That day, Cottrell’s body was found in an abandoned shed near his sister’s home, sending shockwaves through his family.

“It was the strangest day,” Harris says. “I remember all of us standing out in the road. I remember taking off running to the stop sign, and I remember seeing the cops tying the yellow tape. As soon as they started to tie the tape, it started to rain, and it rained and rained and rained the rest of the day, and everybody stood in the rain. I just remember being numb.”

TheBirmingham Police Departmenthas since labeled Cottrell’s death a homicide, but his cause of death has not been released and few official details have been announced. However, BPD has labeled Morris as a person of interest in the case. Cottrell’s loved ones have not had any contact with Morris since Cottrell’s death, and police are still asking for him to come in for questioning

Morris' lawyerhassince released a statementin connection with the case. It reads in part: “Mr. Morris wants answers as well and is awaiting those answers after a full and thorough investigation has been completed. Under the advice of counsel, he will not be giving any further statements at this time.”

Deundray Cottrell, left, and Julian Morris.Birmingham Police Department (2)

Birmingham Police Department (2)

Garnell says he is now leaning on Cottrell’s family during the grieving process as they all wait for answers — and justice.

“It is so much of a community within [Cottrell’s] family that it is my family too,” Garnell says. “That’s why we have such a strong bond, even through the grief.”

“I just want to let the world know that Deundray had nothing but love in him,” Garnell adds. “I just hope that his justice is served and that the world knows exactly what happened to such a good person.”

Harris says her family is still grappling with the grief, but are holding close to them everything Cottrell — who was pursuing his doctorate in public administration and marketing at the time of his death — brought to this world.

“He was everything to us,” she says. “The fact that he’s being minimized to just another tragedy, it hurts, and it hurts for my mom. He was somebody’s brother, he was somebody’s son, he was the golden lining in the sky for so many people. He was the best thing to a lot of people.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Birmingham Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information.

source: people.com