One arrested in double homicide, investigation ongoing

A Bonifay woman is charged with first degree murder in connection to a double homicide currently under joint investigation by the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and Dothan Police Department (DPD).

35-year-old Sheena Marie Thurman of Bonifay has been arrested and charged with one open count of murder in Holmes County, and one count of murder in Dothan. 

HCSO’s involvement in the investigation began Thursday, July 28, when investigators were contacted by the Dothan Police Department in regard to two missing Dothan residents, Shauna Terry and Damien Bell. DPD advised Terry and Bell had gone missing July 11 and had possibly been murdered and buried at a site off Long Round Bay Road in Holmes County.

The agencies report there are believed to be two  crime scenes, one in Dothan and one in Holmes County. Holmes County Sheriff John Tate says he believes the murders happened in two different places. 

“At this time, we believe one of the victims was killed in Dothan and the other in Holmes County,”he told the Holmes County Advertiser.

During the course of the investigation, information given to investigators led to the discovery of two bodies on the property of 2241 Long Round Bay Road in Bonifay. According to Sheriff Tate, the bodies are believed to be Terry and Bell, who were romantically involved.

“The two bodies that were recovered in Holmes County, we believe to be those of Shauna Terry and her boyfriend, Damian Bell,” said Sheriff Tate during a joint press conference held Monday. “However, the medical examiner’s office will make a positive identification and will determine the cause of death and collect any evidence in the case.”

Lt. Ronald Hall of DPD says a residence on the 600 block of Dutch Street in Dothan is one of the crime scenes being investigated. “We executed a search warrant on Dutch Street which we believe to possibly be one of the murder scenes,” said Hall. “We have collected evidence at that scene and are currently processing that.”

Both Tate and Hall say there is more investigation to be done in what they call a complicated case. “There are many different parts in this case,” said Tate. “It is like a jigsaw puzzle. We have the pieces now we have to put them together.”

Law enforcement officials report that Thurman, who is originally from Kentucky, has served time in prison in her home state for forgery and other crimes. Thurman is currently being housed in Houston County and will be extradited back to Holmes County.

Tate says Thurman, Terry and Bell and other persons of interest in the case all knew each other.

“Terry and Bell were not strangers to Thurman,” said Tate. “The witnesses that we have spoken to lead us to believe they all know each other.”

A motive is believed to be known at this time but has not been released due to the ongoing investigation.

Other persons of interest have been identified and the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.