Rodney Maurice Walker Jr. was 25 when he was found dead after a house fire on Old Lewisburg Road in Birmingham. Firefighters called to the fully engulfed home on May 22, 2023, discovered a human body in the charred remains. The Jefferson County Coroner identified the victim as Walker, a Cottondale resident who was born in Northport, attended Holt High School, and studied at the University of Alabama.

An autopsy determined Walker had been shot to death before the fire was set, and investigators treat the case as homicide with arson used to attempt to conceal the crime. As of the summer of 2023 authorities had not publicly named any suspects and the investigation remained active. If anyone knew Rodney, his movements that week, or saw suspicious activity near Old Lewisburg Road on or before May 22, 2023, please come forward with information.