Body found on Gadsden State Cherokee campus identified - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Body found on Gadsden State Cherokee campus identified

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Sheriff's Office vehicles at the scene of Gadsden State Cherokee's campus in Centre. Source: Dixon Hayes Sheriff's Office vehicles at the scene of Gadsden State Cherokee's campus in Centre. Source: Dixon Hayes
Investigators check a dumpster for evidence. Source: Dixon Hayes Investigators check a dumpster for evidence. Source: Dixon Hayes
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CENTRE, AL (WBRC) -

A woman's body was discovered at Gadsden State Cherokee's campus in Centre this morning, prompting school officials to cancel classes for the day.

The victim has been identified as Melissa L. Hudgins, 32, of Cedar Bluff. Officials say she was a contracted custodial worker employed by a cleaning company based in Anniston. She was also a mother to two children.

Officials are investigating Hudgins' death as a homicide. Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship says they have several leads on a suspect, but no one is in custody yet.

Hudgins' body was discovered around 9 a.m. Wednesday in a mechanical room off of the athletic arena at the school. Investigators collected evidence from inside the building as well as a dumpster outside. The school does have surveillance videos, but investigators don't yet know if they cover the crime scene.

[More photos from the scene: Gadsden State Cherokee death investigation]

Students were alerted of the death investigation by an electronic alert system today. School officials called the death an isolated incident and said no students were in danger.

The school will resume classes on Thursday.

Centre Police and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are investigating the case.

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