WINSTON COUNTY, Ala. – The Winston County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, announced the arrests of five individuals in connection with the deaths of Cullman County brothers Braxton Thomas, 30, and Rico Tannehill, 28.
- Marvin Edward Grace is charged with two counts of abuse of a corpse, and one count each of tampering with physical evidence, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime
- April Nicole Gosa is charged with trafficking fentanyl and criminal conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime
- Brittiany Lashae Lewis is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime
- Shawn William Dickinson is charged with third-degree theft of property and tampering with physical evidence
- Nichole Cline-Ikerd is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance
The WCSO posted details on its Facebook page, published (as written) below:
“The Winston County Sheriff’s Office has been for many days been investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two Cullman County men found deceased in Winston County. Having been an investigator for many years myself, I can attest to the difficulties involved in investigating cases such as these. Several members of the Sheriff’s Office, to include our investigations division and patrol division, have put many long hours into this investigation. I am very proud of the team and the job that they have done. Hopefully the conclusion of this investigation will bring closure to the families of these two men. I am personally saddened by these deaths and by many others that I have encountered in my law enforcement career, again my thoughts and prayers belong to the families of those involved.
“This case in its entirety and many details pursuant to this case cannot be disclosed as there is pending legal action and we do not wish this case, for the victims and their families sake, to be put into jeopardy. However the broad parts of this investigation will be shared now in this update.
“On Sunday November the 5th at around midnight Rico Tannehill, Braxton Thomas and Brittiany Lashae Lewis traveled to Winston County from the Vinemont area of Cullman County. The three of them went to the south Haleyville residence of Marvin Edward Grace where it is believe that both Thomas and Tannehill consumed narcotics. We were also informed that Grace, Lewis, Tannehill and Thomas, with Thomas driving, left from south Haleyville and proceeded to an address on Gosa Farm rd, north of Double Springs where April Nicole Gosa and her boyfriend Shawn William Dickinson live. It is also believed that both Tannehill and Thomas consumed narcotics at that residence as well.
“From there Lewis, Tannehill and Thomas left the Dickinson/Gosa residence together with Grace driving Thomas’s vehicle, where they reportedly went back to the residence of Grace. It is believed that Rico Tannehill and Braxton Thomas died later that morning in Thomas’s car in the yard of Grace’s residence of a suspected overdose pending toxicology results.
“Statements made in the course of the investigation have led us to believe that Thomas and Tannehill were driven to a remote area of County Road 17 by Grace. A statement made by Grace was that he parked the car in a location where he hoped that they would be found.
“Several search warrants were obtained and executed and total of five arrest have been made in the course of this investigation thus far. Those arrested have been listed below. I appreciate the patience and understanding of the public, I am a firm believer in those who have committed crimes not only in this case but others as well, be brought to justice. Justice however would not be possible in some cases and greatly hindered in others if all of the gathered information is released, and or released too quickly. Again I appreciate understanding and patience in these matters.
“In a final word please be kind in the comments as these tragic events have affected both families and communities.”
Braxton Thomas (Cullman County Sheriff’s Office)
