Red Bay police continue investigation into apparent murder-suicide

RED BAY — Police continue to investigate an apparent murder-suicide which took place Thursday inside an apartment within the Red Bay Housing Authority on Eugina Nixon Circle.

Police Chief Janna Jackson said members of her department were notified by a family member around 6:39 p.m.

“The family member told us that they had not had recent contact with any of the family members, so they went to the apartment. Once that person gained entry into the apartment, they saw blood and immediately contacted us,” Jackson said.

Police found two people in one bedroom and another in another bedroom.

Jackson said the mother, Teresa Sappington, 59, and daughter Leah Moody, 28, were found in a bedroom.

“One person was found on the floor, while the other was found in a chair,” Jackson said.

The 23-year-old daughter, who Jackson said had been going through a transition and had officially changed their name to Derek Gray Moody, was found on the floor of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in another bedroom.

All three people seemed to have been dead “possibly several hours,” Jackson said.

A bat and a shot gun, which were believed to be the weapons used, were taken into evidence from the apartment by police, Jackson said.

A motive related to the deaths remains under investigation by police, Jackson said.

“We were told by family members that Derek had some previous anger outbursts,” Jackson said.

The three people were transported to the Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville for autopsies.

Jackson, who has been with Red Bay police for 29 years, said she could not remember situation like this in the city since she’s been with the department.

Members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office along with members of the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office assisted Red Bay police with securing and investigating the scene.