ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, SportsCrime Stoppers Dec. 17: Woman found dead; detectives in need of tips

It has been more than six years since a woman was found dead in a wooded area next to Downtown Birmingham.

Detectives are hoping that since then, the killer has shared his secret about what happened.  If you have any information, Crime Stoppers is ready to listen.

Chief A.C. Roper details the case in hopes of generating a fresh tip from the public.

From Chief Roper:

"Tanelsa Ford was 35 years old.  What happened to her remains unclear.  And we're hoping someone can clarify the stories we've been told.

Ms. Ford's body was found on July 17th of 2005.  She was lying in a wooded area near the 1600-block of 9th Avenue North.

A man told police he had been told about the body, and he went to the location, saw it, and dialed 911.

We also spoke with another witness.  That witness said he saw Ms. Ford and a man walking together.  The witness said he saw both of them go into the area where Ms. Ford was later found.  About 20 minutes later, he saw the man come out of the area alone and walk away in a hurry.  He saw the man use a pay phone, and then he saw police and paramedics arrive.

At one point, we had a suspect in custody.  But that suspect had to be released due to insufficient evidence.

Now, we're hoping someone can think back and tell us who Ms. Ford was with that day.  Or, maybe the killer has let it slip and told someone what happened.

No matter what you've heard, you can trust Crime Stoppers to listen and to keep you anonymous.  Dial (205) 254-7777.  We'll give you a private code number.  And if your tip leads to an arrest, you can use that number to claim a cash reward.

Tanelsa Ford can't speak for herself.  We need someone to speak up for her and help us get her killer in jail -- for good.

With Crime Stoppers, I'm Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper."

In addition to telephone tips, you can text a tip by texting the code 7777, along with your tip, to the word CRIMES.  Or, you can submit an encrypted tip by going to www.birminghamcrimestoppers.org and clicking on the "submit an online tip" link.

No matter which method you choose, you will remain anonymous.

The cash reward in this case is offered to the first person whose tip leads to an arrest.  Even if you receive the cash reward, you still will not have to give your name -- only the code number.

Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama is a partnership between local law enforcement, the Birmingham Business Alliance and ABC 33/40.  Together, our goal is to make our community a safer place to live and work.