According to Cherokee County Alabama Sheriff Jeff Shaver, the Major Crimes Unit and the Sheriff’s Office are conducting a murder investigation involving a Gaylesville man.

On Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing person from the family of 38 year-old Scotty Eugene Abernathy.

The investigation led authorities to suspect Abernathy had been shot and his body dumped in the river. 

Law enforcement and the Cherokee County Rescue Squad, found Abernathy’s body, Friday, January 29th in the Chattooga River.

Investigators arrested 48 year old Ben T. McCool of Gaylesville, on charges of domestic violence and torture and willful abuse of a child in an unrelated case. 

He now faces murder charges.

McCool used to cut hair and offer deluxe men's shaves in Trion and Summerville.

Sheriff Shaver said he appreciates the assistance of the Major Crimes Unit, the Cherokee County Rescue Squad, ALEA’s Marine Police and Aviation Unit, and the JSU Center for Applied Forensic Sciences.

The case remains under investigation by the Cherokee County Major Crimes Unit.

(WEIS Radio/Information provided in part by Summerville News)