LaFayette man charged with girlfriend’s murder

LAFAYETTE — A 29-year-old LaFayette man killed his live-in girlfriend Sunday evening, Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said Monday.

David Ryan Walker has been charged with the murder of 29-yearold Candace Ann Hankins. The couple lived at 956 Wheeler Road, Wilson said.

This is the first murder in Walker County in 2017, Wilson said.

Officials believe Hankins was pregnant, but that will have to be confirmed by an autopsy, Wilson said.

The sheriff said that Walker moved her body to a wooded area near the residence and wrapped her remains in a blanket. He contacted family members to help him dispose of the body, but the family immediately notified law enforcement, Wilson said.

Walker could face additional charges, Wilson said.

“At some point, we believe that the death occurred inside the home. However, the suspect either picked up the deceased or drug the deceased to the wooded area,” Wilson said.

The body was located north of the house in some woods and wrapped in blanket about 75 yards from the home.

Wilson said there was no sign of a weapon, such as a gun or a knife, involved in the murder.

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