Ex-boyfriend of Toney victim now facing capital murder, theft

Published 3:15 pm Friday, November 7, 2014

The former boyfriend of a Toney woman found dead in the bedroom of her Madison County home will face capital murder and theft charges in the death of 35-year-old Mary Berryman, an official said Friday.

Madison County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Chaffin said Madison County authorities have obtained an arrest warrant for Anthony Bevels, who is currently jailed in Lincoln County, Tennessee, on a charge of receiving stolen property. Madison investigators are working to extradite Bevels to Alabama. Once charged here, Bevels will be held without bond until his trial.

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Chaffin said deputies were called about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to check on the welfare of Berryman, who lived at 2540 Ready Section Road on the western edge of Madison County. Deputies arrived at the home to find her dead in her bedroom, he said.

After speaking with neighbors, investigators determined Sunday was the last time Berryman had been seen alive, Chaffin said. Investigators believed Berryman’s vehicle had been stolen and they developed Bevels as the suspect, he said.

On Sunday night, Fayetteville, Tennessee, police arrested Bevels, who was driving Berryman’s vehicle, on a charge of driving under the influence.

The investigation will continue in coordination with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Chaffin said.