Suspected Black Murderer of White Woman to Face Increased Charges

WRBL
July 25, 2015

renee_eldridge
Renee Eldridge died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

The suspected murderer of a Columbus woman is facing more serious charges than when he was first arrested.

Valley Police have served capital murder warrants for Salem man Stacey Gray, the man accused of murdering Renee Eldridge back on July 4. Police say the murder happened around 3 a.m. in the 1300 block of Hopewell Road in Valley.

stacey_gray_capital_murder-copy
Stacey Gray was known to the family of his victim.

Authorities apprehended Gray, 45, after a 10-hour manhunt in a wooded area near Notasulga, Ala. A recently released deposition says Eldridge’s body was found on July 7 in Osanippa Creek after having been reported missing since July 4. An autopsy done by the Department of Forensic Science Medical Examiner’s Office says Eldridge died of blunt force trauma to the face and head.