Loved ones mourn University of Alabama student, friend killed in home where friend was pet sitting

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) — Loved ones are mourning the loss of two people who were killed in a home where one of the victims was pet sitting.

Police discovered the bodies of Jose Felix Alvarez-Duenas, 31, and Jazmine Bates, 22, at a home in Brookwood, Alabama, on Monday.

Authorities said Alvarez-Duenas was housesitting at the property and watching the woman’s dog when Bates, a University of Alabama student, came to visit. Brookwood police said both were shot and killed. The dog was also shot and killed.

Victims worked together at local restaurant

Alvarez-Duenas and Bates both worked at Buffalo Phil’s restaurant in Tuscaloosa.

Friends said Alvarez-Duenas was well known in the local restaurant community, having worked at various establishments, with customers specifically requesting to sit in his section.

In a statement, Buffalo Phil’s said the loss of the employees was unimaginable.

“There are simply no words to express the pain our team is feeling. They were more than employees — they were family. Their kindness, dedication and the joy they brought to our workplace will never be forgotten,” the restaurant said.

Buffalo Phil’s said Alvarez-Duenas was a devoted single father of three.

“He was one of the hardest-working people you could ever meet, full of life, fiercely loyal, and the kind of friend you were blessed to have for a lifetime. He worked tirelessly to provide for his children, and his love for them was evident in everything he did,” the restaurant said.

The restaurant said Bates was on the verge of graduating from the University of Alabama.

“Originally from Chicago, she came here with big dreams and was determined to build a bright future. She had a bubbly personality that could light up a room, a beautiful heart, and a smile that made everyone around her feel welcome,” the restaurant said.

Fundraisers set up for victims’ families

Alvarez-Duenas’ sister, Juana Gutierrez Salas, described her brother as someone who left a lasting mark on everyone around him.

“He wasn’t easily forgettable. He touched and brought light into every single life around him. He had a passion for life. He was dependable, responsible, thoughtful, and fun to be around. His murder will hurt this community and this family for a long time. He is loved,” she said.

A GoFundMe has been started to benefit Alvarez-Duenas’ three children. A separate GoFundMe has been started to support Bates’ family with funeral costs and bringing her body back to Chicago, where she is from.

Police discovered bodies during welfare check

Brookwood police were called to perform a welfare check at a home on July 6.

A woman who lived at the home was out of town, and Alvarez-Duenas was housesitting and watching the woman’s dog, authorities said.

After not being able to contact Alvarez-Duenas for some time, police said the woman checked her security cameras and saw a suspect acting suspiciously on her back porch in the early morning hours of July 6.

The woman then contacted her landlord, who requested that police perform a welfare check.

As soon as officers opened the front door, they found the body of Alvarez-Duenas. Bates’ body was found in a bedroom closet. Both victims had been shot. The dog was also found shot and killed.

Investigators were able to use the doorbell camera video to identify the suspect as De’Kendrick Crawford, 24.

Based on the video and other physical evidence found at the scene, officials issued a warrant for capital murder.

Suspect’s arrest

Within hours, Crawford was located at a relative’s apartment. Police said Crawford refused to exit, and law enforcement breached the building. Officers found Crawford hiding in the attic.

He was taken into custody about 10 hours after the victims’ bodies were discovered.

There is no known motive for the alleged murders. Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Violent Crimes Unit said there was no known reason why the victims were targeted.

“This individual here is responsible for what he did. No one did anything incorrect to cause this,” Kennedy said Tuesday at a press conference. “We don’t know why he targeted them. They were not doing anything wrong. They had done nothing wrong to him. None of his acquaintances know why this occurred.”

Multiple other charges will be added as the investigation continues, officials said.

Suspect had outstanding warrants

Crawford had an outstanding felony warrant for shooting into an occupied building from May 2026.

In that incident, Crawford was fired from a contract job on the University of Alabama campus. As he drove away, Crawford fired a gun several times, and bullets struck an occupied office building.

Warrants had been obtained in that case. Police said Crawford was actively running from law enforcement, who had diligently been searching for him.

University of Alabama offers support for students

In a statement, the University of Alabama said counseling and support resources are available to students and staff following Bates’ death.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jazmine Bates after this tragedy. UA staff have contacted her family to offer support,” the university said.