By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
A year ago, 78-year-old Earl Cosby was murdered in his office. The family man and used car dealer was well known across Rutledge Alabama. The entire rural community was shocked by his sudden and tragic death. A year later and there still has not been an arrest.
Cosby’s family is hoping that the reward can encourage someone who knows something to come forward with information to help bring Cosby’s murderer to justice.
Cosby’s son Brent told The Alabama Political Reporter (APR) that his father had no enemies. That he was friends with everyone in Rutledge and was not involved in anything criminal or shady.
The senior Cosby was found shot and killed on the floor of his business, Cosby Body Shop on County Road 35 in Rutledge. Cosby said that when his father did not come home for dinner, he broke down his dad’s door and discovered his father’s lifeless body. Cosby son told APR, I tried CPR but could tell that I was much too late.
Cosby said that his father was shot one time in the back of his head with a small caliber handgun. His wallet and a pocket knife were both taken. The killer was calm enough to cut off the lights and shut and lock the door on their way out of Mr. Cosby’s office. None of the neighbors in the small community remember anything being out of the ordinary that day.
Brent Cosby has established a one 800 number for anyone who can help law enforcement. That number is 1-800-for-earl. This number will be activated soon. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) has put up $5000 of the reward money.
Cosby said that he hopes that the money will help someone come forward with information about the killing. There has not been another murder in Rutledge in the last year and there were none in the year prior to this slaying.
Cosby is concerned that the State of Alabama Department of Forensic Science is not being properly funded and that has slowed the investigation into his father’s death.
