Contributed by the Opelika Police Department
During the initial investigation into the disappearance of 28-year-old Reggie Cornelius Stokes, detectives identified 40-year-old Matthew James Dillon and 40-year-old Francis Harland Hamblin as possible suspects. Both suspects recently relocated to the Opelika area. Dillon is originally from Ohio and Hamblin is from New York.
On October 11, 2023, Opelika Police Detectives, along with members of Alpha Team K9 Search & Rescue, located human remains in a wooded area near the 100 Block of Bay Court. After the remains were located, and in consultation with the Lee County, Alabama District Attorney’s Office, the suspects were arrested. Dillon and Hamblin have both been charged with murder.
This is an ongoing investigation and if you have any information, please contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips can be submitted through our Opelika Police Mobile App. You may wish to remain anonymous.
Tips can also be forwarded through Central Alabama Crimestoppers at (334) 215-STOP(7867), toll-free at 1-833-AL1-STOP, or via their website: www.215STOP.com.