Share this @internewscast.com

A small-town Alabama mayor and preacher told a friend he was facing “dark days” after a conservative news site published stories that alleged he used an online alter ego to post photos of himself in women’s clothing and pictures of community members on an adult website.

Smiths Station Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland died by suicide on Friday, 48 hours after 1819 News published its initial story, which included what it alleges are photos of Copeland in women’s bras, makeup and wigs.

Another story, published the same day of Copeland’s death, alleges that he wrote violent fantasy fiction and posted photos of people from his community to his Reddit page and elsewhere without their consent.

“After watching for a day or two people just relentlessly attacking Bubba (online), I was quite bothered by it and I just decided to reach out to him,” former Phenix City School Superintendent Larry DiChiara told NBC News on Monday.

“It was the day before he passed away. I said, ‘Bubba, keep your head up. You’re a good man with a great heart. Don’t ever forget that. Call me if you need me.’ And his response was, ‘Thank you. It’s been some dark days.’ And I said, ‘I’m sure, just hang there. It will pass.'”

‘Obvious concern for his welfare,’ sheriff says

Copeland reached out on Wednesday to another friend in the public eye, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, who recounted to NBC News the mayor’s anguish after the story was published.

“It was a friend calling a friend,” Jones said Monday. “Let’s just say he was concerned about the article. I think ‘upset’ would be a good way of putting it.”

Those closest to Copeland knew the revelations about cross-dressing had impacted him. A welfare check was called into the sheriff’s office on Friday, authorities said.

Two deputies first went to Copeland’s home and then to a market he owned before locating him driving on a county road, officials said.

The deputies turned on their emergency lights and tried to get Copeland to pull over, though Jones declined to call it a “chase” as the two cars never surpassed the speed limit.

After following him for 10 minutes, Copeland pulled over on Lee County Road 275, near Road 279, and got out of the car. He died by suicide, the sheriff said.

“We had no idea” Copeland would die on the spot, Jones said. “There was obvious concern for his welfare and they (deputies) were attempting to get him to stop, make contact with him and assess the situation and then take action based on that assessment.”

The sheriff said he doesn’t know what could have been differently from Wednesday to Friday last week.

“It’s just tragic all the way around.” Jones said.

Emails to the site’s editor in chief and the article’s author were not immediately returned.

DiChiara, the school superintendent, blamed Copeland’s death on those who mocked, and continue to ridicule, the late mayor.

“Some people are just heartless even in the man’s death,” he said. “His son is really having a hard time with it. His teenage son is taking it pretty tough.”

In addition to his son, Copeland is survived by his wife and two daughters, according to an obituary posted on his church’s Facebook page.

Copeland apologized during his last sermon

During his last sermon at First Baptist Church of Phenix City on Wednesday, Copeland addressed the initial article, saying, “I’ve been an object of an internet attack. The article is not who or what I am.”

Copeland said that he had “taken pictures with my wife in the privacy of our home in an attempt of humor, because I know I’m not a handsome man nor a beautiful woman either.”

“I apologize for any embarrassment caused by my private and personal life,” he said. “This will not cause my life to change, this will not waiver my devotion to my family, serving my city and serving my church.”

“I have nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of things that were said were taken out of context,” Copeland added before thanking the “hundreds” of people who “who have reached out to me in love.”

“I love my family, they’re No. 1, and again I’m sorry for what my actions have caused,” he said.

Confusion in Smiths Station

Some of the residents Copeland allegedly used in his fiction and postings were struggling to understand Monday how they were unknowingly pulled into this dark fantasy realm.

“Our whole town is in chaos,” said Courtney Norrell, a local hairstylist whose maiden name was allegedly used in one of Copeland’s writings. 

Smiths Station is near the Georgia border and is approximately 80 miles east of Montgomery, Alabama’s capital. It has a population of about 5,400 people.

Ansley Summerlin, a Florida hairstylist who knew Copeland when she lived in Alabama, found pictures of herself, taken off her social media and allegedly posted to Reddit by the mayor.

“I will say this has caused me a lot of anxiety and panic attacks,” Summerlin told NBC News on Monday. “There’s just so many emotions that comes with this. After reading those stories, with the names of girls I know, it’s all very disturbing.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Thieves steal more than 1,000 Native American artifacts in overnight California museum heist

Overnight Heist in California: Over 1,000 Native American Artifacts Stolen from Museum

In a shocking overnight raid, more than a thousand invaluable artifacts were…
Trump appears to suggest the US will resume testing nuclear weapons for first time in 30 years

Trump Hints at Possible Resumption of US Nuclear Weapons Testing After 30-Year Hiatus

In a move that could signal a dramatic shift in U.S. nuclear…
Blue state ICE agents dodge bullets, speeding cars as left ramps up tracking campaigns

ICE Agents in Blue States Face Increasing Dangers Amid Intensified Tracking Efforts by Progressive Activists

In recent days, Southern California has witnessed two separate shooting incidents involving…
DHS to impose $1K fee for migrants granted humanitarian parole

Revolutionary DHS Rule: Facial Recognition Now Mandatory for All Foreign Travelers at U.S. Ports

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced updated guidelines mandating that…
Blue city perp with 50+ arrests accused of pushing stranger onto train tracks in fifth attack that day: report

Chronic Offender with 50+ Arrests Strikes Again: NYC Subway Attack Marks Fifth Assault in a Single Day

A New York City man, notorious for his lengthy criminal record of…
Even As Newsom Trashes WH Ballroom, Cat Gets His Tongue When Asked About Mystery $1B CA Capitol Project

Newsom Criticizes White House Ballroom, Remains Silent on Mysterious $1 Billion California Capitol Project

In recent times, Democrats have become somewhat predictable in their opposition to…
Coroner identifies cause of death for 6 who collapsed at Colorado dairy farm

Tragic Collapse at Colorado Dairy Farm: Coroner Reveals Cause of Death for Six Victims

In a tragic incident at a Colorado dairy farm, six individuals lost…
Ramen instead of Reese's? Looming SNAP cuts change what's on offer for Halloween trick-or-treaters

SNAP Cuts Shift Halloween Treats: Ramen May Replace Candy in Trick-or-Treat Bags

When KC Neufeld shared on her Denver neighborhood’s Facebook group that her…
With fragile Gaza ceasefire holding, Trump wants to make headway on Indonesia-Israel normalization

Trump Eyes Historic Breakthrough: Pushing for Indonesia-Israel Peace Amidst Gaza Ceasefire

This week, during his visit to Asia, President Donald Trump took the…
Ruben Torres Maldonado, detained by federal immigration agents in Niles while daughter has cancer, released

Ruben Torres Maldonado, Father of Cancer-Stricken Daughter, Freed from Immigration Custody in Niles

A father, recently taken into custody by federal immigration agents while his…
‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Introduces a Younger Version of Scatman Crothers’s Dick Hallorann: “He’s Not the Man You Meet in ‘The Shining'”

IT: Welcome to Derry’ Unveils a New Take on Dick Hallorann’s Character Before ‘The Shining

HBO’s IT: Welcome to Derry is a captivating prequel not only to…
Mississippi Delta bust: 2 sheriffs, 12 police officers arrested, charged in drug trafficking bribery scheme

Breaking: Massive Drug Trafficking Bust in Mississippi Delta Involves 2 Sheriffs, 12 Officers

In a significant development on Thursday, federal authorities revealed indictments against 20…