Local News
Delores Musgrove fatally mauled by dogs in grassy lot in Bessemer
BESSEMER, Alabama — Authorities have confirmed that a woman found dead in a grassy lot in Bessemer on Thursday morning was fatally attacked by multiple dogs.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Delores M. Musgrove, 50, of Adger.
According to officials, Musgrove died at the scene as a result of severe injuries sustained during the mauling.
Bessemer police responded to a call reporting a person down in the 100 block of Martin Street just before 7 a.m. on Thursday.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Musgrove unresponsive in a grass lot. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:28 a.m., said Det. Justin Burmeister.
Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates confirmed that Musgrove was attacked by multiple dogs, though further details about the animals involved—including their breeds and ownership—have not yet been publicly released.
Musgrove is the second person in Alabama to be killed by dogs this week, and the fourth dog attack fatality in the state this year.
Earlier this week, a 7-year-old boy in Chilton County was killed in a dog attack on the property where he lived.
In that case, authorities reported that nine dogs—including Shepherd, Pit Bull Terrier, Lab, and Hound mixes—were surrendered by the owner and subsequently euthanized.
Six of those dogs were six months old; the others were between one and three years of age.
This year’s other fatal incidents include the March death of 6-month-old Ember Southard in an Alabaster home and a February attack on a 46-year-old woman in Tuscaloosa County.
The latter victim had been caring for a pack of dogs while their owner was away when she was attacked in the yard.
The circumstances surrounding Musgrove’s death remain under active investigation.
Authorities have not said whether the dogs involved have been located or removed from the area.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Bessemer Police at 205-425-2411, the Tip Line at 205-428-3541, or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.