Tuscaloosa Community Unites for Justice in Cold Case

Scenic view of the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa

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News Summary

Almost 40 years after the tragic disappearance of Chanda Fehler, the Tuscaloosa community is rallying together to seek justice. Despite her body being discovered in the Black Warrior River, the case remains unsolved, igniting new interest with the advancement of forensic technology. The Violent Crimes Unit is actively investigating while offering a $10,000 reward for leads. Family members are pleading for information, hoping to bring closure to a haunting mystery that still impacts the community.

Tuscaloosa Community Banding Together for Justice in Heartbreaking Cold Case

In a city where the spirit of community runs deep, Tuscaloosa finds itself revisiting a cold case that still sends chills down spines, almost four decades after the tragic disappearance of a bright young life. Chanda Fehler, a vibrant 23-year-old graduate student at the University of Alabama, vanished on June 10, 1987. She was last seen heading to the Riverside pool on the university’s campus, where she was enjoying the warm summer sun.

What makes her case especially haunting is the scene that greeted investigators after her disappearance. Chanda’s car was found at the pool with the interior light glowing and one door left slightly ajar. Inside the vehicle were her personal belongings including a purse, driver’s license, and towel, but curiously, her keys were nowhere to be found. Witnesses mentioned seeing Chanda and her possessions around noon that fateful day, yet no one reported seeing her leave in her car. How could someone so full of life simply vanish without a trace?

Her family reported her missing the very next day, and just four days later, her lifeless body was discovered in the Black Warrior River by a fisherman. What shocked investigators was the grim condition in which she was found: her hands and feet bound with wire, and her body weighted down with a cement block. A medical examiner’s report indicated no signs of knife or gunshot wounds, suggesting a truly horrific end—suffocation or drowning.

At the time of her untimely demise, Chanda had recently concluded her undergraduate degree from the UA’s College of Education and was actively pursuing her master’s in early childhood education. She was a dedicated member of her community, actively involved with the First United Methodist Church, and was known for her outgoing and loving nature. Friends and family remember her as a bright light, and her loss left a gaping hole in their lives.

Despite the passage of time, the case has never been closed and has seen multiple reviews by different investigative teams. Recently, the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) has rekindled the investigation, driven by the hope that modern forensic techniques—unavailable during the original investigation—can yield new insights. Captain Jack Kennedy of the VCU is currently overseeing a fresh evaluation of physical evidence, which shows promise.

What’s even more thrilling is that a $10,000 reward is still being offered for any information leading to an arrest. Investigators strongly believe that Chanda likely knew her killer, which leaves the community wondering if any lingering memories or overlooked details could finally help solve this haunting mystery.

The family of Chanda Fehler has not given up hope. Recently, her siblings participated in a press conference to passionately plead for any information regarding her murder. They deserve closure, and their desire for justice echoes throughout the community.

With modern forensic technology advancing and the reward still on the table, now is an ideal time for anyone with information to step forward. Investigators consider even the smallest detail valuable, even if it might not seem related to the crime. Perhaps someone saw something, overheard a conversation, or has had lingering thoughts about that fateful day.

If you have any information regarding Chanda Fehler’s case, don’t hesitate to call the Violent Crimes Unit at 205-464-8690 or Captain Jack Kennedy at 205-464-8692. The community of Tuscaloosa stands ready to assist in bringing justice to a bright young woman whose life was stolen far too soon, and we all hold out hope that it isn’t too late to find the answers her family so desperately long for.