Suspect charged with murder of man found burned in west Jefferson County

A suspect has been charged in the case of a man who was found burned on a road in Mulga in February. The incident was first reported as a death investigation, but was changed to a homicide investigation when evidence indicated that the victim had been shot before being dumped on the road and set on fire.

The victim was identified as Monty Lewayne Davis, 29, of Birmingham. The suspect being sought by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was identified as 37-year-old Rajuar Akeil Key.

On February 24, Davis’s body was found at the 300 block of Mulga Loop Road after police were called to investigate a brush fire. An examination by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office determined that the body had sustained a gunshot wound. Investigators theorized that he had been shot in another area and dumped on the road in Mulga before being set on fire.

After months of investigation, detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Metro Area Crime Center, have charged Key as the suspect in the killing.

“Detectives learned that on the night he was killed, Davis went to Key’s residence on Eufaula Avenue in Birmingham,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “While he was there Key accused him of stealing marijuana from him and owing him money. The two men began arguing and then fighting. Key pulled out a pistol and shot Davis.”

Investigators believe that Davis’ body was burned to “prevent or prolong” identification. An arrest warrant was issued against Key and his bond has been set at $100,000.

Key remains at large, deputies say.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.