ATMORE, Ala. — The state of Alabama executed Jeremy Williams Thursday night for the 2021 murder of a 5-year-old girl, officials said. Williams was put to death at Holman State Prison after he waived further appeals and asked the state to carry out his sentence.
Case background and evidence
Authorities said Williams was arrested soon after the child’s death. Investigators recovered video on his cell phone that prosecutors say documented the assault, the strangulation and sexual abuse of the girl. Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey described the video as a pivotal piece of evidence in the case.
"I want to thank God for forgiving me for my sins so I can meet him in peace. Good night."
The victim was identified as Kamarie Holland. The case originated as a missing person report filed Dec. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Georgia, and later became an Alabama murder investigation when the child's body was located behind a home in Phenix City, officials said.
Final hours and official statements
The Alabama Department of Corrections said Williams died by lethal injection at 6:16 p.m. Central time. He had earlier signed away his appeals, expediting the process. In his final statement, Williams thanked God and said he could meet Him in peace.
Police and prosecutors described the case as clear-cut, citing DNA, a confession and physical evidence linking Williams to the crime. Chancey said investigators also found the suspect's vehicle at his residence, and authorities considered the confession to be a decisive development.
Related confessions and ongoing questions
During his detention Williams reportedly confessed not only to the killing of Kamarie Holland but also to other unsolved violent offenses, according to local reporting. He admitted to an unsolved 2005 homicide and referenced a sexual assault from two decades earlier.
Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said he remains uncertain whether Williams disclosed the full extent of his crimes. The sheriff told investigators that the defendant’s decision to video the criminal acts was especially disturbing and suggested a pattern of behavior in offenders who keep trophies or mementos from their crimes.
Timeline
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Missing person report filed in Columbus, Ga. | Dec. 13, 2021 |
| Child's body found in Phenix City | Shortly after Dec. 13, 2021 |
| Williams arrested and detained | Following discovery of the body |
| Execution carried out at Holman State Prison | 6:16 p.m. Central, Thursday |
Community impact and reaction
Local law enforcement and prosecutors have characterized the case as particularly harrowing because of the age of the victim and the nature of the evidence recovered. County officials and investigators said the video evidence profoundly affected the response and prosecution.
Officials did not release extensive details about the victim's family in public statements, and standard procedures were followed to notify next of kin before the execution. The case has drawn attention for the swiftness of the process once Williams declined to pursue further appeals.
Execution procedure and legal notes
- Williams waived all appeals, which accelerated the execution timetable.
- The sentence was carried out by lethal injection at Holman State Prison in Atmore.
- Officials confirmed the time of death as 6:16 p.m. Central.
The execution adds to ongoing discussion in Alabama and nationally about capital punishment, process timelines and how the justice system handles particularly violent crimes against children. Authorities said they will continue to investigate any leads related to other confessions made while Williams was in custody.
Reporting for this article relied on statements from the Alabama Department of Corrections, comments by Russell County officials and local law enforcement accounts of the investigation and prosecution.
