Huntsville, January 7, 2026
William Fails Jr., a 44-year-old man from Huntsville, died in custody after being accused of fatally shooting his father. He was found unresponsive at the Madison County Jail and later died at Huntsville Hospital. An autopsy suggests a possible cardiac event. His father, William Douglas Fails Sr., succumbed to his injuries following the shooting that occurred during a domestic dispute last month.
Huntsville – A 44-year-old Huntsville man, William Fails Jr., accused of fatally shooting his father last month, died in custody on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Huntsville Hospital. He had been held in the Madison County Jail since early December 2025 on murder charges related to the death of his 79-year-old father, William Douglas Fails Sr., who was 80 years old at the time of his death.
Death in Custody
William Fails Jr. was transferred to the medical unit within the Madison County Jail on Monday, January 5, 2026, after reporting that he was not feeling well. Approximately 30 minutes after his arrival at the medical unit, Fails Jr. became unresponsive. Jail medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures and transported him to Huntsville Hospital. Despite these efforts, he died a short time later.
An autopsy has been performed, and preliminary findings suggest that Fails Jr. likely experienced a cardiac event. The investigation into the exact cause of his death is still ongoing. Official autopsy results are pending from the State Department of Forensic Science.
Allegations of Parricide
Fails Jr. was arrested on December 6, 2025, following a shooting incident that ultimately led to the death of his father, William Douglas Fails Sr. The initial incident occurred at the 2800 block of Broadview Drive in Huntsville, during what authorities described as a domestic dispute that escalated into violence.
Police were initially alerted when an adult male, later identified as William Douglas Fails Sr., was found with a gunshot wound at a gas station in the Blue Springs Road and Sparkman Drive area. He was immediately taken to a local hospital in critical condition for treatment.
William Fails Jr. was initially taken into custody and charged with first-degree domestic violence-aggravated assault. However, the charge was subsequently upgraded to murder after his father, William Douglas Fails Sr., succumbed to his injuries 11 days after the shooting. William Fails Jr. had been held on a total bond of $160,000, which comprised a $60,000 bond for the aggravated assault charge and a $100,000 bond for the murder charge.
The death of William Fails Jr. in jail custody while facing serious charges marks a somber end to a tragic family event that unfolded in Huntsville over the past month. Authorities continue their investigations into both the father’s death and the circumstances surrounding Fails Jr.’s passing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened to William Fails Jr.?
- William Fails Jr., 44, of Huntsville, died on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Huntsville Hospital after being transferred from the Madison County Jail where he was in custody.
- What was William Fails Jr. accused of?
- He was accused of fatally shooting his 79-year-old father, William Douglas Fails Sr., who was 80 years old at the time of his death, in early December 2025, which led to a murder charge.
- When did William Fails Jr. die?
- He died on Monday, January 5, 2026.
- Where did William Fails Jr. die?
- He died at Huntsville Hospital after becoming unresponsive in the Madison County Jail’s medical unit.
- What caused William Fails Jr.’s death?
- Preliminary autopsy results indicate he likely suffered a cardiac event. The official cause of death is pending further investigation and results from the State Department of Forensic Science.
- When was William Fails Jr. arrested?
- He was arrested on December 6, 2025.
- What were the circumstances of his father’s death?
- His father, William Douglas Fails Sr., 80, was shot during a domestic dispute on Broadview Drive in Huntsville on December 6, 2025, and died 11 days later from his injuries.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deceased in Custody | William Fails Jr., 44 |
| Date of Death (William Fails Jr.) | Monday, January 5, 2026 |
| Location of Death (William Fails Jr.) | Huntsville Hospital (after transfer from Madison County Jail) |
| Alleged Victim of Murder | William Douglas Fails Sr., 79-year-old father (80 years old at time of death) |
| Date of Father’s Shooting | December 6, 2025 |
| Location of Father’s Shooting | 2800 block of Broadview Drive, Huntsville |
| Initial Charge (William Fails Jr.) | First-degree domestic violence-aggravated assault |
| Upgraded Charge (William Fails Jr.) | Murder |
| Date of Arrest (William Fails Jr.) | December 6, 2025 |
| Preliminary Cause of Death (William Fails Jr.) | Likely cardiac event |
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Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
