08/25/2026
This Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of Shannon Paulk and the beginning of one of the most tragic criminal cases ever investigated by the Prattville Police Department. Shannon was last seen in the Candlestick Park Mobile Home Park off of S. Memorial Drive around 1200 on August 16, 2001. When Shannon's mother returned home from work that evening, she could not find Shannon. After calling the Prattville Police Department to report Shannon missing, an extensive search involving a myriad of local law enforcement and the FBI began. For weeks, law enforcement and the community looked for any clues that could tell us of her whereabouts. However, on October 6, 2001, our collective hearts were broken when Shannon's body was found by hunters in a local wildlife refuge in Autauga County.
The Prattville Police Department has never given up hope that the person responsible for Shannon's death will face justice and closure can be given to Shannon's family. The PPD has worked diligently in partnership with ALEA and the FBI to hopefully uncover new clues through new technologies.
The PPD's Criminal Investigations Division currently has two Investigators assigned to Shannon's case who review it least once a month and follow up on any leads that may come in. In 2017, a special grand jury was convened over the course of a year to look over all evidence, and, in 2025, we partnered with ALEA and FBI once again to comb through all evidence to see what new leads could be found. We have answered hundreds of leads that have come in from the public, but we still are requesting information on finding Shannon's killer. 25 years later, Shannon's family still looks for answers and Shannon still waits for justice.
If you or someone you know may have information related to Shannon's case, please reach out to us! You can contact our Criminal Investigations Division at 334-595-0240, the PPD Secret Witness Line at 334-595-0259, ALEA ABI Hotline at 1-800-392-8011 or at CrimeStoppers 215STOP at 334-214-7876.
