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HANCEVILLE, Ala. – More details were released today about the death of Hanceville Police Department dispatcher Christopher Michael Willingham, 49, back in August 2024. Additionally, three Hanceville Police officers have reportedly been arrested.
According to pathology and toxicology reports issued by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, which conducted the victim’s autopsy, Willingham died from the combined toxic effects of “fentanyl, gabapentin, diazepam, amphetamine, carisoprodol and methocarbamol.”
The reports were released to the media by Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick, who wrote in an email, “Christopher Michael Willingham 49 of Cullman was found deceased in his office at the Hanceville Police Department on 8/23/2024 shortly after 11 am. He was last seen alive on 8/22/2024. Mr Willingham was sent for an autopsy at ADFS Huntsville Lab.”
WHNT-19 in Huntsville is reporting, “Three officers with the Hanceville Police Department have been arrested, mayor Jim Sawyer confirmed to CBS 42 Wednesday. No names or charges have been announced, but a statement is likely to be released sometime Wednesday.”
A press conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. The Cullman Tribune will livestream the press conference on its Facebook page.
