SerpApi.Org
The brutal death of an Alabama teen has left his family shattered, as they believe more than one suspect is likely responsible. The dismembered and burned remains of Markavious Rumph Jr. , 18, were found in a wooded area near White Oak Church Road, five days after he was last seen on May 7. He was reportedly getting inside a car with a friend at that time.
According to investigators, Rumph’s death was caused by a fatal shooting, after which the suspect dismembered and burned his body. For five days, the teen’s family continued to comb the area and even braved pouring rain, but to no avail. For five days, the teen’s family searched the area, including during heavy rain, but did not find him. Finally, on May 11, Rumph’s remains were found, along with other key evidence linked to the killing.
Teen’s Family Blames Police For Lack Of Action
Rumph’s mother, Yolanda Wynn, said that authorities at the Eufaula Police Department did not assist the family’s search party as it tried to locate the missing teen. Once they found her son’s remains, it was only then that the police dispatched cadaver dogs, fire marshals and other resources to the crime scene. “I looked for five days for my son, with no help from the Eufaula Police Department. My family and I were in the rain on Mother’s Day; I walked through those woods,” Wynn said.
In a statement to the press, Police Chief Danny Christ said investigators already had reason to believe that the teen was dead before his family filed a missing persons report. Christ said detectives contacted the family from the first day of their search efforts.
Crucial Evidence Obtained From Crime Scene, One Suspect Arrested
According to police, a blood-stained shovel and an abandoned SUV were found near Rumph’s remains. Another blood-stained rag was also found in the vicinity.
Police arrested 19-year-old Josiah McKinney in May in connection with the case. Authorities have not disclosed his relationship to Rumph. He was charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. More arrests are likely.
Police Chief Christ said, “With all the information we’ve gotten so far, we do believe Mr. Rumph Jr. was deceased before the initial missing persons came in. You have to have positive identification of the body in order to place the person with the other person. That way we can at least put them together, and we’ve done that along with several other items of evidence.”
Teen’s Family Looks For Answers
With justice still far from being delivered, Rumph’s family continues to seek answers. The teenager, who had just cleared his GED, had aspirations to attend a welding school. Wynn said, “The brick that was in my chest and the knife that was in my back came off me. Everything got light, so I knew; I wanted to find him; I didn’t want him just out there. I got closure then.”
Addressing other possible suspects, Wynn said, “If you had something to do with it, we’re going to find out. Tell them all to come on, come here. Come on to the 30 and turn yourself in, because you’re going to get caught, and you’re going to pay the price.”
“They basically burned my baby, shot my baby, burned him up and chopped him up,” Marcus Rumph said. “I’m dealing with it the best I can right now.” He said he will continue seeking justice for his son and keeping his memory alive.
“Markavious is never going to be forgotten; he’s always going to be in my heart,” Marcus Rumph said.
“We just want justice for Markavious Rumph.”
