Enterprise, Alabama — A local family is left in shock after a special memorial cross dedicated to their son, Russell Frei, was stolen from its place along Alabama Highway 27 in Coffee County. The cross, which had served as a tribute to the 25-year-old man who was tragically killed nearly two years ago, vanished without a trace last week, leaving the family searching for answers.
The temporary memorial, installed just one month after Russell’s death, was illuminated by lights that helped keep his memory alive, especially during the night. However, upon visiting the site recently, his parents were devastated to find that the cross was no longer there. “We went to look, and all that was left was the little stake that holds the cross in place. The lights, everything around it — it was all gone,” said Joan Frei, Russell’s mother.
Russell, an Enterprise resident, was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking along the busy highway in October of 2023. He was reportedly walking home from one of his nightly walks when the tragic accident occurred. His parents, Joan and Brian Frei, placed the cross as a way to honor his life and raise awareness about the hazards of the highway. For 18 months, the cross stood as a poignant reminder of Russell’s life and the dangers that pedestrians face on this dark stretch of road.
“This was just a place for us to be here to remember him, and for his friends and anybody who knew him to have a special place for him,” Joan Frei explained.
The family has made it clear that the memorial was not only a personal tribute to their son but also served as a warning to others about the dangers of walking along the highway, particularly at night. “We don’t want him to be forgotten. We don’t want his death to be in vain. We want awareness that this is a dark area for anybody else who could be walking there or driving there,” said Brian Frei, Russell’s father.
Although the Alabama Department of Transportation and local authorities have confirmed that they were not responsible for removing the memorial, the Freis are left wondering who would take such a personal symbol of their son’s life. Despite their efforts to check the site daily in hopes of seeing the cross returned, there has been no sign of it.
The family has asked for help from the public, urging anyone with information about the theft to come forward. “They could leave it in the place where the cross was because we check on it. Every day when we go by there, we check to see if someone has brought it back,” said Brian Frei.
The Enterprise Police Department is currently investigating the case, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact them at (334) 347-1211.
As the search for answers continues, the Freis are left hoping that their son’s memory will be honored and that the memorial will be returned to its rightful place. In the meantime, they remain steadfast in their commitment to keeping Russell’s memory alive, even in the face of this painful and confusing setback.
