On January 15, at approximately 8:20 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1200 Block of 18th Street North in Birmingham, Alabama on report of a body found. A Birmingham City worker observed the victim and then dialed 911. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.
The victim was identified as 43-year-old Genise Carter.
Carter was found face down on a dead-end street with no clothing except for a pair of socks. She had allegedly been kidnapped and brutally beaten earlier that day.
According to surveillance footage reviewed by police, Carter was allegedly kidnapped during a 30-minute ordeal at a gas station. Authorities said the footage shows Carter arriving at the gas station around 4 a.m. on the day of the incident when two men allegedly followed her in. A few minutes later Carter was seen allegedly being forced out of the store and into a car at gunpoint by the men, who then drove away. They soon returned to the station with quite a few cars there and a few minutes later Carter ran out of the car seeking help.
The suspects were later identified as 21-year-old Jayden Gildersleeve and 62-year-old Michael Spellman.
She allegedly tried to get help from multiple bystanders who were present, but only one person called 911, according to court testimony. In an attempt to receive help, Carter also jumped into a stranger’s SUV and was seen “bear-hugging the driver” who she did not know.
The men allegedly grabbed her and brought her back to their car and when she tried to escape into the store, they allegedly assaulted her. She was beaten on the ground in the doorway of the store.
Police were able to locate Gildersleeve based on information provided by the only witness who called 911.
On January 31, Gildersleeve was arrested and charged with capital murder (kidnapping) and first-degree kidnapping.
On February 1, Spellman was arrested and charged with capital murder (kidnapping).
The two appeared for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday where a judge ordered them held without bail.
Police have not released a motive for the murder. However, they did say Carter knew one of her alleged attackers.
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