New Charges Filed in Ongoing Demopolis Death Investigation

Demopolis, AL (BuzzReport)– Authorities have filed new charges in a long-running investigation into human remains discovered along a residential road in Demopolis more than a year ago.

The Major Crimes Unit of the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has arrested two Marengo County residents on charges of abuse of a corpse in connection with remains found on Powe Road in April 2023. Investigators believe the remains belong to Damon Gibson, a Linden resident who was last seen at the Demopolis Fitness Center in 2022.

Taylor Danielle Sheffield, 33, of Demopolis was arrested Dec. 18 and charged with abuse of a corpse. A second arrest followed on Dec. 30, when Michael Steven Bozeman, 39, of Gallion, was charged with the same offense. Bozeman had previously been charged with Gibson’s murder when the body was discovered in 2023 and has remained free on bond since that time.

District Attorney Rachel England said DNA testing by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences is still pending but investigators remain confident in the victim’s identity.

“We’re pretty positive it’s Damon,” England said. “We have good reason to believe the remains found in 2023 are his.”

In addition to the murder and abuse of a corpse charges, Bozeman now faces a separate charge for possession of a firearm while out on bond for a violent offense. England said the charge stems from a new Alabama law that took effect in October 2025, which prohibits individuals released on bond for violent crimes—including murder and domestic violence—from possessing firearms.

England described the enforcement of the new law as “another win” for public safety within the judicial district.

She also noted that the case marks the first major investigation handled by the district’s newly established Major Crimes Unit.

The investigation remains active, and authorities say additional charges are possible as forensic testing and interviews continue.