Family of Justin Hasty release statement

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The family of Justin Hasty spoke out Wednesday morning, October 31, a day after the 25-year-old was found dead in Grand Bay.

Hasty's first cousin read a written statement from the family:

"We would like to thank the Mobile Police Department for the professional and swift manner in which they conducted Justin's case. Justin will be greatly missed by his many friends and family. We want to thank the community for their continued support and your thoughts and prayers are appreciated as we deal with the loss of our son and brother.”

Mobile Police were called by Hasty’s parents when he didn’t show up for work Monday. A missing persons investigation began immediately.

Cpl. Chris Levy said when police searched Hasty’s home, it was apparent something had happened.

"When we entered the residence we found blood, found clear signs of a struggle. We believed a very violent crime scene had occurred in that residence," he said.

Levy said Mobile Police were called to a home off of Hi Fields Road in Grand Bay around noon Tuesday.

"We received a call from the sheriff’s office saying they were investigating a homicide on High Fields Road," he said. "We went out there to assist because they believed they had located our missing person Justin Hasty. That was later confirmed, it was in fact him and Mr. Estle was taken into custody on the scene."

Brandon Estle was arrested and charged with murder. While Estle was being led out of Mobile Police Headquarters, he told our cameras he acted in self-defense . He apologized to the family of Hasty.

Defense attorney Jeff Deen is representing Estle. Deen said there is more to the story and that will come out in court. As far as the claim of self-defense, Deen said he could not comment at this time.

A bond hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 1 for Estle.

You can make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project in Honor of Hasty here.