AL - Ricky Brooks, 54, found murdered, Smiths Station, 29 Jan 2017

Authorities have launched a homicide investigation following a 54-year-old man found dead inside a Smiths Station residence on Tuesday.

Lee County Coroner Bill Harris confirmed the homicide investigation late Tuesday. Harris identified the victim as Ricky Brooks, adding that Brooks had been missing since Sunday...

Alabama State Troopers and sheriff's office deputies located an unresponsive male inside the residence with what authorities are calling "a ligature around his neck."

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Officials located Brooks inside the residence with a ligature around his neck and investigation of the scene revealed signs of a struggle.

It has also been confirmed that a vehicle belonging to Brooks is missing from the yard of the residence. The vehicle is a silver 2004 Chrysler Pacifica displaying Alabama license plate 43FW 211.

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Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica owned by 54-year-old Ricky Brooks was found on a side street late Tuesday in Phenix City by officers...

Brooks’ vehicle was taken from the residence after the event resulting in his death, the sheriff said...

Jones said Brooks lived alone at the home.

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