Body found floating in Alabama River identified; exactly how he died still unclear, police say

Published 8:01 am Sunday, July 3, 2022

The dead body that was discovered floating in the Alabama River in Dallas County last month has been identified, but how he got there remains unclear.

Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford said the African-American man identified is Joseph Woods, 52, a Selma resident. Fulford said there’s “no cause of death at this time.”

Fulford said a man was working near the river spotted the body floating in the water on May 24 and immediately called law enforcement. The body was recovered about a mile south of the Selma City Marina.

The body was sent to forensics and they identified him as Woods.

The Selma Police Department and Dallas County Sheriff Office both assisted with the rescue attempt.