Man Charged with Capital Murder of Couple Found in Burned Home

Investigators in Tuscaloosa have charged a 39-year-old man with the capital murder of a man and woman found dead in a burned-out home earlier this year.

The victims, Shelli Wallace and Eric Shane Hatter, were discovered in a burned house on Garber Street in Holt in May.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said Hatter and Wallace were known residents of the burned home and evidence suggested their deaths were the result of "foul play."

Without sharing specifics of the case, Kennedy said forensic evidence was sent to a state lab in Montgomery for analysis and police developed Patrick Darnell Campos, 39, as their suspect in the case.

Campos was located by VCU investigators and interviewed, and Kennedy said officers presented all evidence to a local magistrate, who issued a warrant for Campos' arrest.

Kennedy confirmed the suspect has been taken into custody and charged with two counts of capital murder. He has been booked in the Tuscaloosa County Jail, where he will be held without bond.

If convicted of capital murder, Campos would face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.

The investigation is still ongoing, and Kennedy urged anyone who has any information concerning the victims in this case, or about Campos, to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690.