Victim identified, reward increased in Ozark murder

A $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in connection with the murder of a woman found dead in Ozark Friday, Dec. 15, is now being offered. The reward was first announced at $500.

Ozark Police Chief Marlos Walker said that those who provide police with information that leads to an arrest will remain anonymous.

“Investigators have worked through the weekend collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and positively identifying the victim in this case,” Walker said. “The victim has been identified as Tammy M. Cooper, 49, of Ozark.”

Walker said that at approximately 12:40 p.m. Friday the Ozark-Dale County E911 received a call about a woman lying on the ground just inside the wood line near Fall Street and Popular Avenue.

The woman, described as a black female, was found unresponsive and first responders were unable to resuscitate her, according to Walker.

“Although it is very early in the investigation, foul play is suspected at this time,” Walker said. “Investigators were able to process the crime scene and collect multiple pieces of evidence.”

Cooper was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences as part of the investigation, Walker said. An autopsy was expected to be performed Dec.18.

Anyone with information pertaining to this death investigation is asked to call OPD at (334) 774-2644 or Central Dispatch at (334) 774-5111 and ask to speak to an investigator.

The case is still under investigation by the OPD and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office.