Two men arrested on charges after human remains found during search for missing Opelika man
Two suspects have been arrested on a murder charge after human remains were discovered during a search for a missing Opelika man.
The investigation into the missing Opelika man, identified as 28-year-old Reggie Cornelius Stokes, began on October 9, 2023. Stokes was last seen by family on September 22, 2023 and he last posted a photo on his social media on September 23, 2023.
During the initial investigation into the disappearance of Stokes, detectives identified 40-year-old Matthew James Dillon and 40-year-old Francis Harland Hamblin as possible suspects.
Both suspects recently relocated to the Opelika area. Dillon is originally from Ohio and Hamblin is from New York.
Opelika Police Detectives, along with members of Alpha Team K9 Search & Rescue, located human remains in a wooded area near the 100 Block of Bay Court on October 11, 2023.
“After the remains were located, and in consultation with the Lee County District Attorney’s Office, the suspects were arrested,” police said. Dillon and Hamblin have both been charged with murder.
This is an ongoing investigation and if you have any information, please contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips can be submitted through our Opelika Police Mobile App. You may wish to remain anonymous.
Tips can also be forwarded through Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at (334) 215-STOP(7867), toll-free at 1-833-AL1-STOP, or via their Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/215stop or their website: www.215STOP.com.
Related stories
Crime & SafetyMISSING: Columbus police searching for missing 42-year-old woman last seen in September
Crime & SafetyMISSING: Columbus police search for missing 21-year-old woman last seen on Torch Hill Road
Crime & SafetyMISSING: Columbus police seeking help locating 15-year-old last seen in Opelika
CrimeOPD: Police investigating shooting in Opelika; road closed
LocalBREAKING: Search underway for missing 70-year-old man in Beauregard