Media Release 148-Update in the Aston Starkey Homicide Investigation
Update in the Aston Starkey
Homicide Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives received information that the suspect wanted in connection to the murder of 13-year-old Aston Starkey, which occurred on March 2, 2024, is deceased.
The suspect has been identified as:
Serena Starkey, (53), W/F, of Birmingham, Alabama.
Detectives received notification on Monday, June 24, 2024, from the Medical Examiner of Southwestern Institute of Forensics Science in Dallas, Texas, that the suspect, Serena Starkey, died on Friday, June 21, 2024.
There was no foul play observed in her death.
The cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy.
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Click to print. Media Release 148-Update in the Aston Starkey Homicide Investigation
Homicide Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
The victim has been identified as:
Aston Starkey, (13), W/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.
At around 7:20 a.m., Birmingham Fire and Rescue (BFR) personnel were dispatched to a Person Down call at the Extended Stay America (101 Cahaba Park Circle).
BFR personnel arrived and then transported the victim to Grandview Hospital Grandview Hospital Staff pronounced him deceased.
South Precinct officers along with BPD Homicide detectives responded to Grandview Hospital and launched an unclassified death investigation. Shelby County DHR also launched an investigation.
The preliminary investigation revealed Aston Starkey died under suspicious circumstances.
On Thursday, June 6, 2024, Shelby County DHR notified our Homicide Unit that Aston’s autopsy revealed he died as a result of malnutrition and dehydration complicated by neglect. The medical examiner’s office ruled the manner of death: Homicide.
On Friday, June 7, 2024, Homicide detectives presented case information to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. After reviewing the information, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Murder on the victim’s mother.
The suspect has been identified as:
Serena Starkey, (43), W/F, of Birmingham, Alabama.
The suspect is not in custody.
Anyone with information on the case, please contact B.P.D.’s Homicide Unit @ 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 205-254-7777. Crime Stoppers pays tipsters cash rewards of up to $5,000 for their tips.
This is Birmingham’s 57th murder investigation of 2024 with 7 justifiable death investigations.
The Birmingham Police Department adheres to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines set for all law enforcement agencies across the United States. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines do not require law enforcement agencies to include justifiable death investigations in the total homicide investigations counts.
**The information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**
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