Hartselle, AL –July 3, 2025 — A quiet Hartselle neighborhood was shaken by violence Thursday morning after police responded to a 9:00 a.m. emergency call reporting an armed individual and an argument at a residence on Stage Road. Upon arrival, officers with the Hartselle Police Department discovered a tragic scene: 59-year-old Nancy Deanne Sandlin Fox, a beloved member of the Hartselle community, was found deceased at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds.
Police dispatchers had received alarming updates from the caller while officers were en route, including details of an escalating argument and the unmistakable sound of gunfire. When officers arrived, they encountered a male subject standing in the front yard. According to authorities, he was unarmed and fully cooperative with law enforcement.
The suspect has since been identified as Wyatt Braxton Young, a 25-year-old resident of Falkville, Alabama. Following a preliminary investigation, Young was arrested and has been formally charged with Capital Murder in connection to the death of Ms. Fox. He is currently being held without bond at the Morgan County Jail.
Police have not disclosed a motive, and details about the relationship between the suspect and the victim have not been publicly released. Investigators are working diligently to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. The Hartselle Police Department is expected to continue gathering forensic evidence, witness statements, and any possible surveillance footage from the surrounding area.
Authorities emphasized that this was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. Hartselle Police expressed their condolences to the family and loved ones of Nancy Fox in an official statement, calling the loss “heartbreaking and senseless.”
“Our hearts go out to the family of Ms. Fox during this unimaginable time,” the department stated. “We recognize the deep impact this has on our community and extend our sincerest sympathies.”
Nancy Deanne Sandlin Fox was known by many in Hartselle for her kindness and warmth. Friends and neighbors described her as a caring individual who loved her family and her hometown. Her sudden and violent death has left the community in shock and mourning.
As this case progresses, police remind the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Wyatt Braxton Young will remain in custody as the legal process unfolds. The Capital Murder charge, one of the most serious under Alabama law, could carry life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty if a conviction is secured.
Additional information, including court appearances and further investigation updates, will be released by the Hartselle Police Department and the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office as appropriate.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Hartselle Police Department directly. Community members are also urged to keep the family of Nancy Fox in their thoughts as they navigate this time of tragedy.
In Loving Memory of Nancy Deanne Sandlin Fox
1955 – 2025
Forever missed. Forever remembered.