Brandon Joel Franklin, a 34-year-old man from Trussville, Alabama, was a beloved husband, father, son, and brother. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; a daughter, Tye; a son, Drew; his parents, David and Toinette Franklin; and a large extended family of grandparents, a brother, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who remember him fondly. Those who knew him recalled his infectious laugh and looked forward to the times they could spend with him. His death left an unfillable void in the lives of his family and friends.
The night before he died, Brandon was at his home in Moody, Alabama. On the morning of Friday, January 18, 2019, his wife awoke to a disturbing discovery: both Brandon and his silver Volkswagen Beetle were gone. Later that day, around 12:50 p.m., the situation turned to tragedy when Birmingham Police were called to a residence in the 7300 block of 2nd Avenue South in the city's East Lake neighborhood.
There, in the backyard of a home, they found Brandon Franklin's body. Emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene from a homicide.
The Birmingham Police Department launched an investigation into Brandon's murder. A few days after his body was discovered, authorities located his missing Volkswagen Beetle just a few miles away. Inside the car, investigators found a critical piece of evidence: blood in the passenger seat. This discovery led police to believe that Brandon may have been injured and then transported in his own car to the location where his body was ultimately left.
Despite this lead, the investigation into Brandon's death has grown cold, leaving his family with agonizingly unanswered questions. "Can you imagine not knowing how this happened, how did my husband, how did my friend, my brother, he had a number of family and friends and they all want know who would do this to him,” said Bob Copus, the Executive Director of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama. Investigators believe the crime scene is expansive, stretching from his home in Moody, to where his body was found in Birmingham, and finally to where his car was abandoned. This suggests that multiple people may have witnessed something relevant to the case.
In the years since his death, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made. The case remains an open and active cold case homicide with the Birmingham Police Department. Friends and loved ones gathered for his funeral service on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at Curtis and Son North Chapel to mourn their loss.
As of July 2024, law enforcement continues to seek the public's help for any information that could provide a breakthrough. They have specifically asked for anyone who lived in the area and might have seen a silver Beetle in the middle of the night to come forward. Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for tips that lead to an arrest. Individuals with information are urged to contact the tip line and can remain anonymous.
