Sheriff's Office vehicles at the scene of Gadsden State Cherokee's campus in Centre. Source: Dixon Hayes
Investigators check a dumpster for evidence. Source: Dixon HayesCENTRE, AL (WBRC) -
A woman's body was discovered at Gadsden State Cherokee's campus in
Centre this morning, prompting school officials to cancel classes for the day.
The victim has been identified as Melissa L. Hudgins, 32, of Cedar Bluff.
Officials say she was a contracted custodial worker employed by a cleaning
company based in Anniston. She was also a mother to two children.
Officials are investigating Hudgins' death as a homicide. Centre Police
Chief Kirk Blankenship says they have several leads on a suspect, but no one is
in custody yet.
Hudgins' body was discovered around 9 a.m. Wednesday in a mechanical room
off of the athletic arena at the school. Investigators collected evidence from
inside the building as well as a dumpster outside. The school does have
surveillance videos, but investigators don't yet know if they cover the crime
scene.
[More photos from the scene: Gadsden
State Cherokee death investigation]
Students were alerted of the death investigation by an electronic alert
system today. School officials called the death an isolated incident and said
no students were in danger.
The school will resume classes on Thursday.
Centre Police and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are investigating the
case.
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