The name of a man stabbed to death in Ensley earlier this week has now been identified, and authorities are trying to locate any family members.
Darrel Keith Daniels, 46, was found dead Tuesday morning, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. Birmingham police West Precinct officers responded about 5:15 a.m. to a report of a many lying behind the Chevron gas station in the 1300 block of Bessemer Road.
When they arrived on the scene, they found Daniels, a transient, dead from multiple stab wounds. Sgt. Bryan Shelton said the victim was known to police. "It's just an unfortunate situation,'' he said.
Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates on Thursday said Daniels was found lying on a grass embankment near the roadway in the 5200 block of Avenue O. He had been stabbed in the leg, and a major artery was hit.
Yates said authorities have not been able to find Daniels' family to notify them of his death. He and his family are originally from Birmingham and once lived in the 1700 block of Jefferson Avenue S.W., but it is believed that most of the immediate family has since passed away.
The victim's father, David Scott Daniels, died in Birmingham on Jan. 3, 2012. There are other extended family members possibly still in the Birmingham area.
Police said Tuesday a suspect was taken into custody for questioning shortly after the victim's body was found. Lt. Pete Williston said Thursday they are still investigating the case and the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office has not issued any criminal charges in Daniels' death.
Daniels is Birmingham's 16th homicide victim this year, and the 23rd in all of Jefferson County.
Any family members, or anyone with knowledge of family members, is asked to call the coroner's office at 205-930-3603.