ORIGINAL STORY: It was a cold, snow-covered morning in parts of Cullman County on Wednesday, but the cold descending over the City of Hanceville was chilling.
City officials scrambled to prepare for a 2 p.m. press conference after two breaking news stories hit the internet. It is not clear if the stories are related.
First, the cause of death of a Hanceville Police dispatcher was revealed.
Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick released a statement that Christopher Michael Willingham, 49, died of “combined toxic effects of fentanyl, gabapentin, diazepam, amphetamine, carisoprodol, and methocarbamol.”
The opioids, mixed with other pain relievers and muscle relaxants, were in Willingham’s system and reached levels high enough to cause death.
Willingham died in his office last August.
Shortly after the news broke, multiple sources previewed another story involving possible corruption online.
At least five Hanceville Police officers were arrested. The charges were not released, and Mayor Jimmy Sawyer did not return a phone call by 1819 News.
A press conference was set for 2 p.m. Wednesday.
The police chief in Hanceville has been on the job for less than a year. Chief Jason Marlin was sworn into office last August. After a 20-year career with Birmingham Police, he came to Hanceville as an officer in 2021. When former Chief Josh Howell retired in April 2024, Marlin was named interim police chief. After announcing the job would be permanent, Sawyer said Marlin put a big emphasis on being transparent and communicating with the public.
The Hanceville Police Department told 1819 News that it would not comment on any news matters.
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