NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The names of two Alabama teenagers whose bodies were discovered earlier this week in a wooded area near Percy Priest Lake have now been publicly identified. As the investigation deepens, more details are beginning to emerge about the young lives lost and the mystery that continues to baffle both authorities and the families left behind.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed that the victims are Amir Landan Wilkerson, 19, and Jamie Valdez-Garcia, 18, both residents of Alabaster, Alabama, a suburban city located just south of Birmingham. According to investigators, the teens were found shot multiple times, their bodies left near a secluded walking trail adjacent to the Lincoya Bay Apartments, in an area owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The bodies were discovered around 1:50 p.m. on Monday, April 28, by a local resident walking his dog along a frequently used trail that winds through the woods near Percy Priest Lake, a large reservoir located just 10 miles east of downtown Nashville.
The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous due to the disturbing nature of the discovery, immediately contacted 911 upon finding what appeared to be two unresponsive individuals partially obscured by underbrush just off the main trail.
“When I saw the two of them lying there, at first I thought maybe they were passed out,” the witness said in a statement provided to Channel2 NOW. “But something just felt wrong. It wasn’t until I got closer that I realized this was something awful — I turned around and ran to call the police.”
Responding officers arrived on scene within minutes and quickly cordoned off the area. Emergency medical personnel confirmed that both individuals were deceased, with visible gunshot wounds to the upper body and torso regions. Shell casings were recovered at the scene, though police have not yet confirmed the caliber or number of weapons used.
Identification and Timeline of Events
Identification of the bodies was completed in the days following the discovery. Wilkerson was identified first, after detectives located his Alabama state identification card and wallet near his body. Valdez-Garcia’s identity was verified a day later through fingerprints and confirmation from his family.
Police believe the two teens arrived in Nashville sometime on Sunday, April 27. Surveillance footage from a local gas station on Murfreesboro Pike reportedly shows a vehicle matching the description of the one driven by Wilkerson — a silver 2008 Honda Accord — entering the area around 4:15 p.m. that day.
The footage shows both Wilkerson and Valdez-Garcia exiting the vehicle to make purchases before returning and driving away. That would be the last confirmed sighting of the teenagers alive. Their families reported them missing late Sunday night after they failed to return phone calls and did not come home.
According to relatives, the trip to Nashville was unplanned and unexpected. Neither teen had informed family members of their intent to travel out of state. Valdez-Garcia’s older brother, Miguel Valdez, told Channel2 NOW that his sibling had mentioned wanting to visit Nashville “at some point,” but had made no concrete plans.
“He just got his diploma last year and was working part-time,” Miguel said. “He was quiet, smart, and very protective of our mom. He wasn’t into anything shady. We don’t know why they went there.”
Who Were Amir Wilkerson and Jamie Valdez-Garcia?
Amir Wilkerson and Jamie Valdez-Garcia were both recent high school graduates from Thompson High School in Alabaster. Friends and family describe them as polite, artistic, and deeply loyal to one another — bonded by years of friendship.
Amir Wilkerson was a promising graphic designer, according to his cousin and mentor, Terrance Wilkerson, who said the teen had a “natural gift” for digital art and design.
“He was quiet but had a fire in him when it came to his passion,” Terrance said. “We were getting ready to start a little business — selling custom-designed apparel and logos. He had so many ideas.”
Jamie Valdez-Garcia was described by those close to him as warm, funny, and immensely caring, particularly toward his younger siblings. His teachers at Thompson High remember him as respectful and focused. He had been accepted into a local community college and was planning to study early childhood education.
“Jamie was the kind of student you didn’t forget,” said Ms. Roberta Hines, his 12th-grade literature teacher. “He had a way of seeing people, really seeing them. His loss is just incomprehensible.”
The Investigation: What We Know So Far
Detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Homicide Unit are actively investigating the double homicide. As of Wednesday afternoon, no suspects have been publicly named, and police have not disclosed whether they believe the shooting was targeted or random.
Captain Harmon Bryant of MNPD told reporters at a press briefing that authorities are treating the case with “the highest priority.”
“These are two young men with no known criminal history, no known ties to any gangs, and no reason, as of now, to be targeted,” said Bryant. “That said, we are pursuing every lead and working closely with our partners in Alabama to build a full timeline of the victims’ movements leading up to the moment of their deaths.”
Investigators are reviewing cellphone records, social media accounts, and traffic camera footage in the area. The silver Honda Accord belonging to Wilkerson was found parked near the entrance to the trail — undisturbed, doors locked, with no apparent damage or signs of forced entry.
“Their car was parked like they intended to come back to it,” Bryant noted. “That raises more questions than it answers at this point.”
Forensic experts have reportedly collected DNA and fingerprint evidence from the vehicle and the crime scene. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has also joined the case, bringing in additional crime scene analysts and behavioral profilers.
A Community Shattered
Back in Alabaster, the deaths of Wilkerson and Valdez-Garcia have sent shockwaves through the tight-knit suburban community. Vigils have been held at Thompson High School and the local community center, with students, teachers, and neighbors coming together to grieve, support the families, and demand justice.
“I watched those boys grow up,” said community leader Angela McCowan. “They were good kids. Not perfect — nobody is — but this? This is pure evil. We need answers.”
Both families have created GoFundMe pages to help with funeral expenses and possible legal costs associated with the investigation. In just 48 hours, each fundraiser has surpassed $20,000, with donations pouring in from as far away as California and New York.
Authorities Request Public’s Help
Law enforcement officials are calling on the public to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. A $5,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murders.
“Even the smallest detail could be the piece that breaks this case open,” said Detective Lorna Mayfield of MNPD’s Violent Crimes Division. “If you saw anything unusual in the area Sunday night or Monday morning — a person, a vehicle, anything — please contact us.”
Broader Implications and Unanswered Questions
As the days pass and the case remains unsolved, speculation continues to swirl both online and within the local community. Were the teenagers lured to Nashville under false pretenses? Did they meet someone they knew? Could their deaths be related to a larger pattern of violence?
The area surrounding Percy Priest Lake has not historically been associated with high crime, but recent months have seen a slight uptick in drug-related arrests and transient traffic through nearby apartment complexes.
“It’s too soon to draw conclusions,” said crime analyst Jada Thompson, who has been following the case. “But the presence of two out-of-state teenagers, the remote location of the murders, and the lack of clear motive — it all suggests premeditation. Someone planned this.”
In Their Memory
As the investigation continues, friends and loved ones cling to memories of Amir and Jamie — two young men who had dreams, passions, and futures ahead of them.
“They were just starting out,” said Terrance Wilkerson. “And now they’re gone — taken in a way none of us can make sense of. We will not stop until we know why.”
Thompson High School plans to host a memorial next week, and city officials in Alabaster have proposed a community safety initiative in the teens’ names.
This is a developing story. Channel2 NOW will continue to provide updates as new information emerges.
