Gulf Shores police and Baldwin County sheriff’s investigators are looking into the death of a 45-year-old Baldwin County woman whose body was found in the driveway of a Fort Morgan Road condominium complex, a case that has drawn attention in part because of a sitting Mobile County commissioner’s connection to it.
Officers were called to the Ridge Condos, off Fort Morgan Road in Gulf Shores, after a report of a gunshot. When they arrived, they found a white female lying in the driveway of the complex, according to Gulf Shores Police Lt. Dennis King.
The woman was identified as 45-year-old Angela Downs, who was pronounced dead at the scene. King said investigators are working to piece together what led to her death and have not ruled out any scenario as they build their case.
Witnesses in the area told officers they saw a red Ford pickup truck bearing county tags leave the scene shortly after the shot was reported, and said the vehicle possibly belonged to Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine. Police issued a be-on-the-lookout alert for the truck as they worked to piece together what happened.
That alert was called off a short time later after Nodine turned himself in at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, accompanied by his attorney.
“Mr. Nodine and his attorney contacted our office and said that he wanted to come in and make a statement,” Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said. “Mr. Nodine and his attorney came to the Sheriff’s Office and at this time he’s making a statement regarding this incident.”
Mack declined to release details of what Nodine told investigators, saying only that the commissioner had not been charged as authorities continue to sort out what happened.
“He has not been charged at this time,” Mack said. “Right now he’s being interviewed to determine what his knowledge of the case is and if he did have any involvement, but that hasn’t been determined.”
Gulf Shores police say a weapon was recovered at the scene, though investigators have not said how it may be connected to Downs’ death. Authorities also have not disclosed whether Downs and Nodine knew each other, and King said detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and review evidence gathered at the condominium complex.
Sheriff Mack said an autopsy on Downs was scheduled to be conducted, which investigators hope will provide additional information about the circumstances of her death and help determine the next steps in the investigation.
Nodine serves as a member of the Mobile County Commission, the three-member body that oversees county government functions including roads, bridges and public safety services for Mobile County residents.
Neither the Gulf Shores Police Department nor the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office has indicated when the investigation might be complete. Officials asked anyone with information about the incident at the Ridge Condos to contact investigators.
This is a developing story, and further details will be reported as they become available.