Man charged after missing Northport woman's body found (original) (raw)

May 17, 2026, 11:44 a.m. CT

A man has been arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse after the body of a missing Northport woman was found May 16 in Greene County.

The body was identified as 23-year-old Karen Hollis, who was reported missing May 8, said Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit.

After Hollis was reported as a missing person to the Northport Police Department, the initial probe led investigators to believe that foul play may have been involved, Kennedy said.

The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit has been working jointly with Northport Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division on the case. Multiple search warrants were executed and a great deal of physical, witness and electronic information was obtained, according to Kennedy.

Kennedy said a person of interest was developed last week, but the victim still had not been found.

On May 16, family and friends found Hollis’ remains in Greene County while searching an area developed by the recovered electronic evidence. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Greene County District Attorney’s Office and Greene County Coroner also assisted the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit with the recovery.

The person of interest was immediately detained by law enforcement.

Randall Lendell Dejourney has been charged with abuse of a corpse. He was taken to the Tuscaloosa County Jail with bail set at $15,000 cash.

The investigation is continuing.

Kennedy said more charges may be brought or upgraded once the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Medical Examiner is able to report the cause and manner of death after conducting an autopsy.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@usatodayco.com. To support her work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.