Two men charged in kidnapping, death of Alabama teen

Published 4:07 pm Friday, September 11, 2020

Two men are charged in the disappearance of an 18-year-old whose body was found days after he went missing last weekend, authorities said Friday.

Taharra Jaquay Brunson, 41, and Marcus Okeef Wigley, 35, were arrested on warrants charging them both with first-degree kidnapping, news outlets quoted police as saying.

The charges stem from an investigation into the disappearance of Thomas A. Green of Auburn, whose remains were identified after being found Thursday in Waverly, the Lee County coroner’s office said.

Green suffered fatal injuries and his death is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said, so additional charges were possible.

Investigators believe the men took the youth against his will, a police statement said. Police earlier released surveillance video showing Green attempting to enter a convenience store and then leaving after realizing the business was closed.

Green was last seen early Saturday by a friend, police said, and he was reported missing on Sunday.

Court records weren’t available to show whether Brunson or Wigley had an attorney.