UNIONTOWN – Police here have a suspect in the murder of woman near Nite Cats Convenience Store.

The body of Sarah Custard Witherspoon, 52, of Uniontown, was discovered July 9 near the store on County Road 53.

“We do have a suspect, but he has not been charged,” said Police Chief Donald Rhodes.

Rhodes said his department was awaiting a preliminary report from the state Department of Forensics to reveal the cause of death in the slaying.

“Forensics still haven’t told us the cause of death, but I expect to hear from them soon,” he said.

Rhodes said he planned a call Thursday to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, which is assisting in the investigation to inquire about the case’s status.

“I expect to hear before the week’s end,” he said.

In wake of the third murder in his jurisdiction in less than a month, Rhodes said he’d been out on patrol more frequently.