Daniel Robbins, 44, of Georgia, allegedly strangled his girlfriend Jessica Folds, 47, of Alabama, to death before dying of a heart attack while attempting to dispose of her body in a wooded area, according to authorities.
Their bodies were discovered together in Chambers County, Alabama, on June 10 at approximately 12:20 p.m. local time after deputies responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle on County Road 86 in Lanett.
Investigation reveals sequence of events
Chambers County Alabama Sheriff's Office stated that the truck was still running with the driver's side door open. There were signs that something had been dragged from the truck into the woods, where both bodies were found, according to AL.com.
The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences conducted an investigation and autopsy, confirming that Folds was strangled. Authorities believe Robbins was attempting to dispose of her body when he suffered a fatal heart attack.
District Attorney Mike Segrest told AL.com: “Based on the investigation by ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) and the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, and the autopsy done by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, the female victim was strangled, and it appears the male was attempting to dispose of the body in a remote location.”
Heart attack during disposal
“He died of a heart attack while doing it,” Segrest said. “Their bodies were right there together.”
Robbins' ex-wife stated that he had a pre-existing heart condition, according to local news channel WTVM.
WTVM also reported that Folds' body was found with her arms raised above her head, while Robbins was next to her in the fetal position, according to Chambers County Sheriff Jeff Nelson.
Domestic incident suspected
Segrest said there was no evidence to indicate where the strangulation occurred, but he believed it was a domestic incident. Based on the condition of the bodies and the fact that the truck was still running, he estimated the events unfolded the night before.
An obituary for Folds described her as a mother to three sons who “touched the lives of many with her heart of gold, deep love for everyone, and smile that brightened the world.” Robbins was a father to a daughter.
