Preliminary Hearing Reveals Additional Evidence in Fort Payne Double Homicide Case

TWLN Staff Report | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Additional information was presented Thursday during a preliminary hearing in the double homicide case involving the deaths of two Fort Payne residents.

Jacob Mitchum, 27, of Oxford, appeared before DeKalb County District Judge Jeff McCurdy at the DeKalb County Courthouse, where prosecutors outlined evidence supporting two counts of capital murder.

Jacob Mitchum, 27, of Oxford.(Photo from Fort Payne Police Department)

Mitchum is accused in the November 9, 2025, shooting deaths of Alisha Keller, 27, and her husband, Logan Brown, 24. The couple was discovered inside their Alabama Avenue residence at the Fort Payne Housing Authority complex after officers responded to reports of gunfire.

Alisha Keller, 27, and her husband, Logan Brown, 24. (Photo courtesy of social media)

Testimony during the brief hearing came from Fort Payne Police Department Detective Tony Blackwell, who detailed the investigation timeline and evidence collected by law enforcement.

Blackwell testified that Mitchum and Keller shared two children and had been involved in an ongoing custody arrangement. Mitchum reportedly held full custody, while Keller was allowed supervised visitation. Earlier on the day of the shootings, the two participated in a scheduled visitation in Oxford. According to Blackwell, the visit ended with an altercation that led both parties to file reports with the Oxford Police Department.

Following the visitation, Keller returned to Fort Payne, where she later spent the evening with her husband. At approximately 6 p.m., Fort Payne police were dispatched to the residence after a 911 caller reported shots fired. Keller and Brown were pronounced dead at the scene, each suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators later received information indicating Mitchum had confessed to the shootings. Blackwell testified that Mitchum contacted several relatives and acquaintances after the incident, admitting responsibility. He also FaceTimed his mother, who was with the couple’s two children in Oxford, telling her he wished to speak with them before surrendering to authorities.

Based on information provided by Mitchum’s mother, including a description of the vehicle he was driving, a BOLO was issued. Mitchum was later located and taken into custody in Calhoun County.

Video evidence from security cameras positioned throughout the Housing Authority complex was reviewed during the hearing. According to Blackwell, the footage shows Mitchum arriving at the residence, retrieving an object from his vehicle, and entering through the back door. Less than half a minute later, Mitchum is seen exiting the home and leaving the area. Investigators believe the retrieved item was a .40-caliber handgun used in the shootings.

A total of 14 spent shell casings were recovered from the scene — the maximum capacity of the firearm. Mitchum reportedly acknowledged ownership of the pistol, though investigators said it had been purchased by Keller.

During a post-arrest interview conducted the following day, Mitchum admitted to firing the weapon but claimed he acted in self-defense. He alleged that Brown pushed him and that a stabbing occurred before the shooting. Blackwell testified that investigators found no physical or testimonial evidence supporting a self-defense claim.

Preliminary findings list the cause of death for both victims as multiple gunshot wounds. Final autopsy results are pending.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge McCurdy determined that probable cause had been established and ordered the case to proceed to a DeKalb County grand jury.

The Weekly Ledger News will continue to follow the case and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

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