CAPSHAW, Ala. — The brother of a man murdered last week in Madison County has spoken publicly for the first time, expressing grief over the loss of Derek Franklin Walls and thanking the community for their prayers and support.
Rodney Walls took to Facebook on Thursday, mourning the loss of "my dear brother and only sibling," 54-year-old Derek Walls. The family says Derek was "an avid hunter and fisher, who had a passion for Alabama football and the great outdoors."
"I and my family have endured the deepest and darkest of all evils," Rodney wrote. "Words cannot describe how I and my family are devastated and the depth of pain we have endured."
He continued by saying that his niece "has lost her Daddy," and her two children have in turn lost their grandfather. But he added that the family is being comforted by the "words, calls, messages, food, contributions to my family."
Rodney shared that Derek's memorial service is being held Saturday at Berryhill Funeral Home. An online guest book has been set up for members of the public to share their condolences. A GoFundMe started to support the families after the announcement of Derek's death gathered $2,725.
Derek was found dead the morning of March 7. A suspect, 36-year-old Kyle Hayden Lewter, was arrested and charged with Walls' murder, as well as a charge of sexual torture. Documents obtained by FOX54 show the victim was killed by blunt-force trauma from a hammer.
Investigators said Lewter and Walls knew one another.
Lewter is expected in court in April. He remains in the Madison County Jail.