In a deeply unsettling development, 44-year-old Calvin Dewayne Ball of Bessemer was found dead late Wednesday night inside a burning vehicle in southwest Birmingham. This incident mirrors the tragic fate of his son, Ja’Calvin Demond Ball, who was killed in a similar manner less than a year prior.
Birmingham firefighters responded to a vehicle fire late Wednesday night in the city’s western section. After extinguishing the flames, they discovered the body of Calvin Dewayne Ball inside the vehicle. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed his identity, and authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
This tragedy echoes the death of his son, 20-year-old Ja’Calvin Demond Ball, who, along with 20-year-old Antonio Kasey James of Pinson, was found deceased in a burned vehicle on October 29, 2024, in the 1600 block of 89th Place North in Birmingham. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified both victims using DNA comparison and dental records. Their deaths were ruled homicides, and the Birmingham Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), continues to investigate the case.
The striking similarities between the deaths of father and son—both found in burning vehicles within Birmingham—have raised concerns and prompted calls for a thorough investigation into any potential connections between the two cases. As of now, authorities have not disclosed any links or suspects in either incident.
Community members and local officials are urging anyone with information related to these cases to come forward. The Birmingham Police Department has emphasized the importance of public assistance in solving these crimes and bringing those responsible to justice.
As investigations continue, the Ball family and the broader Birmingham community seek answers and justice for the tragic losses of Calvin and Ja’Calvin Ball.