Two men in Alabama are facing murder charges in connection with the death of a woman who was reportedly found dead in a well early Monday, nearly two weeks after she was reported missing.
According to Al.com, authorities believe Marka “Willoe” Watkins, 20, was killed and dumped in the well located in Tuscaloosa County shortly after her disappearance. Watkins’ grandmother was said to have reported her missing on July 25, saying she and had communicated with Watkins via Facetime on July 17, the day she disappeared.
Watkins was possibly last seen alive in the Bessmer-McCalla area on July 17. Her social media feed, which is typically active, reportedly stopped being updated on the same day she vanished.
Suspects Kendal Tyler Battles, 29, and Joseph Brandon Nevels, 20, have since been charged with murder and abuse of a corpse in Watkins’ death. WTVM reported that officials believe Watkins was at one of the suspects’ Tuscaloosa County homes when she was killed. The suspects allegedly then went to a vacant home and dumped her body in a well located on the property.
Al.com noted that Watkins’ father is deceased, while her mother, Miranda Michelle Lynch, was found dead in a pool of blood in the bathroom of a mobile home in August 2015. Police said three friends who wanted Lynch’s boyfriend’s food stamps held her captive and beat her for days before she succumbed to her injuries.
Tuscaloosa County police Captain Kip Hart revealed that a tip led them to the well where Watkins’ body was. Authorities said more arrests are possibly forthcoming as their investigation continues.
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[Featured image: Marka Watkins/GoFundMe; Kendal Tyler Battles and Joseph Brandon Nevels/Tuscaloosa Co. Sheriff’s Office]
