EUFAULA, Ala. (WDNews) — According to Eufaula Police Chief Danny Christ, human remains recovered on May 11 have been positively identified by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences as those of Markavious Rumph Jr.
Authorities announced Thursday that 19-year-old Josiah Isaiah McKinney of Eufaula has been arrested in connection with the case.
McKinney has been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.
According to Chief Christ, detectives began working the case immediately after Rumph was reported missing. Investigators contacted Rumph’s parents on the first day of the investigation to establish timelines and identify contacts who could help trace his last known whereabouts.
Police said significant evidence was recovered on the second day of the investigation. Following the positive identification of the remains, that evidence led to McKinney’s arrest.
Chief Christ noted that while the public often seeks information during active investigations, law enforcement must sometimes limit the release of details to protect the integrity of the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional interviews are being conducted.
Eufaula Police thanked the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Bureau of Investigation, Troy University and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for their assistance.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Eufaula Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 334-687-1200 or the anonymous tip line at 334-687-7100.
