Welcome to Secrets True Crime, the Eric Cates and Gypsy Story. I am your host Amber Sitten. What is done in darkness will eventually come to light.

That is the purpose of this podcast to shine light on the story of Eric

Cates, his beloved dog gypsy, and the town of Empire located in Walker County, Alabama.

Listener discretion is advised.

The subject matter may involve violence, sexual content,

and adult themes.

It is not suitable for younger listeners. On March 21st, 2015, 32-year-old Eric Cates and his faithful four-legged companion Gypsy were found burned in the

cab of Eric's white S-10 pickup truck behind the old Empire School in the tiny little Walker County town of

Empire, Alabama. On Friday, October 13th, 2023, after 8.5 long years,

arrest have finally been made in the horrific murder of Eric Cates and his loyal and faithful

dog Gypsy.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall released the following statement.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall today announced the indictments of Joshua Franklin Hill 33 of Walker

County and Cyrena Cheyenne Stiles 28 of Walker County for the 2015 death of Eric

Cates. Cates and his dog Gypsy were found deceased in the Empire community on March 21st, 2015.

Hill and Stiles were each indicted on one count of murder. The indictments were served and defendants arrested on Friday, October 13th. Stiles was arrested by the Summinton Police Department and Hill was arrested

by the U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force.

On October 5th, 2023, Attorney General Marshall's Special Prosecution and Criminal

Trials Divisions in partnership with the Summinton Police

Department and former agents of the Walker County Sheriff's Office presented

evidence to a Walker County grand jury, which resulted in

Hill's indictment on one count of murder and Stiles indictment on one count of murder.

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