Family: Donald Howard's remains found in cemetery

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - The family of a murdered Fairhope man confirmed investigators located his remains in Plateau Cemetery off Bay Bridge Road in Mobile.

Deputies told FOX10 they found Donald “DJ” Howard’s body in the area of Bay Bridge and Cut off roads, January 25.

Howard’s family said they got the news Friday night and said the discovery is bittersweet.

 “We are still baffled and don't understand why it came to this but at least we have DJs body, and now we can lay him to rest,” said DJs aunt Maeola Coleman.

Relatives said Howard’s body was dumped in a shaded area.

Investigators had been searching for his remains since January 17 after a witness told them Howard had been shot to death days earlier.

“It's something that a person wouldn't even do to a dog,” said Coleman. “They just took him and threw him out there. I don't wish this on no one; not even my worst enemy.”

On January 17, deputies said the witness led them to a gruesome crime scene at a mobile home property off Parker Road. They said they found evidence that Howard had sustained ‘non-survivable’ injuries; the body however had been moved.

Investigators said it appears Howard was shot numerous times while inside a vehicle on the property.

Immanuel Jenkins, 22, was arrested on January 18 in Mississippi and charged with capital murder.

On January 24, Jamon Lawrence, 20, was charged with first-degree hindering prosecution in relation to the murder.

Family members said they are hurt knowing so many people knew about the crime and said nothing.

“To see my sister go through what she has gone through and to know that so many people out there knew about it -- not only just the ones that committed the crime -- but family members,” said Coleman. “No one said anything. It’s heart wrenching.”

The Howard family is making final arrangements for sometime next week.

They are also planning to attend a candlelight vigil at Howard’s old barber shop in Fairhope, Monday evening.