Woman found dead at Birmingham apartment complex, police suspect foul play

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A woman was found dead at an apartment complex off 17th Street South, the Birmingham Police Department reports.

At around 3:30 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to a residence at Hillside Apartments for a welfare check. Once they entered, an adult female was found inside and pronounced dead. The BPD later identified the woman as Maria Juan, 27, of Birmingham.

Public information officer Truman Fitzgerald stated foul play is suspected in the victim’s death. Juan’s former romantic partner, an adult male, was detained by officers downtown as a person of interest.

The suspect was interviewed at BPD Headquarters. BPD detectives then put him on a 48-hour felony extension for murder at the Birmingham City Jail.

Juan’s family reported her missing after not hearing from her since Thursday night. BPD Special Victims Unit detectives assigned to her case began searching for her Friday. The Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Officer is set to perform on autopsy on Juan to establish her manner and cause of death.

Those with information on the case are urged to call the BPD at 205-254-1764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

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