JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — An 18-year-old from Elkmont has been arrested and charged with murder and arson after a man was found dead inside a burning home in Graysville. Authorities have confirmed that the victim’s death was a homicide, adding another tragic case to Jefferson County’s growing list of violent crimes in 2025.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that Jose Antonio Alvarado is facing charges of murder and second-degree arson. Investigators believe he is responsible for the deadly fire that broke out on Sunday night at a residence in the 500 block of Seventh Avenue S.W.
Firefighters from Graysville and Adamsville responded to the scene around 9:30 p.m. and arrived to find the home completely engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, first responders discovered the body of a male victim inside the house. He was pronounced dead at 10:17 p.m. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the victim’s name as they work to notify next of kin.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office launched an investigation, treating the fire as suspicious from the beginning. After several days of gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, authorities identified Alvarado as a suspect. He was taken into custody on Thursday and booked into the Jefferson County Jail just after 6 p.m. He is being held without bond.
Officials have not disclosed the circumstances that led to the victim’s death or the motive behind the alleged crime. The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are working to determine exactly what happened the night of the fire.
This incident marks the 48th homicide reported in Jefferson County this year, highlighting ongoing concerns about violent crime in the region. Local officials are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward.
Tips can be reported to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Investigators are hoping that additional information from the public could help bring closure to the victim’s family and assist in building a stronger case against the accused.