Lee County Sheriff: Smiths Station Mayor Bubba Copeland died by suicide

Smiths Station Mayor F.L. Bubba Copeland found dead after controversy involving explicit online content; believed to have taken his own life.

Smiths Station Mayor F.L. Bubba Copeland was tragically found dead on Friday evening in Lee County, Alabama, according to Sheriff Jay Jones. The sheriff confirmed that Copeland took his own life, marking a devastating end to a week filled with controversy surrounding the mayor's personal life.

In addition to his role as mayor and owning a small grocery store in a remote area of Alabama, Copeland also served as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Phenix City. However, this week, an Alabama nonprofit online news site called 1819 reported some shocking revelations about Copeland's online activities.

According to the news site, Copeland had been posting explicit content, including pornography, graphic memes, and explicit photos of himself dressed in women's clothing on his now-deleted Instagram and Reddit accounts. He had apparently been posing as a transgender woman named "Brittini Blaire Summerlin" and even shared transgender fiction and erotica that he had authored.

The news of Copeland's actions quickly spread, leading to a wave of public ridicule and criticism. Some of Copeland's friends, including former Phenix City School Superintendent Dr. Larry DiChiara, expressed their anger and heartbreak over the situation. DiChiara revealed that he had spoken to Copeland recently and offered him support, as he knew the mayor was going through some "dark days." DiChiara questioned those who found humor in publicly ridiculing Copeland, asking what crime he had committed to deserve such treatment.

The controversy surrounding Copeland ultimately took a toll on his mental health, resulting in his tragic decision to end his own life. The Lee County Sheriff's Office, along with the Lee County District Attorney's Office, is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Copeland's death.

Sheriff Jones provided some insight into the events leading up to Copeland's passing. Deputies were responding to a welfare check request when they spotted Copeland driving his truck on a county road near his grocery store. They attempted to pull him over, but Copeland stopped, exited his vehicle, and took his own life.

It is important to note that the welfare check was the sole reason for the stop, as there were no outstanding warrants or other grounds for the vehicle stop. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the impact that public scrutiny and ridicule can have on an individual's mental well-being.

As the community mourns the loss of Mayor F.L. Bubba Copeland, it is crucial to reflect on the consequences of our actions and the potential harm they can cause. May he rest in peace, and may those who took pleasure in his suffering find forgiveness and remorse for their actions.