Detectives Meeting In Downs' Death Investigation

Detectives are expected to meet this afternoon in the death investigation of Angela Downs, a 45 year old real estate broker found dead Sunday night in the driveway of her Gulf Shores home.

Downs suffered a single gunshot to her head, but investigators have not said whether there was foul play. Baldwin County District Attorney Judy Newcomb said Monday there are suspicious circumstances surrounding Downs' death.

Investigators tell News Five statements from the victim's friends and text messages reveal Downs was trying to break off her relationship with Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine in recent days.

Investigators confirmed Nodine went to a Daphne bar Sunday night before surrendering himself to Baldwin County investigators for questioning. Nodine's attorney, Matt Green, says the commissioner talked to investigators for four hours.

A captain with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office described Nodine as disoriented and aloof during the questioning. The investigator also said Nodine repeatedly excused himself to go to the bathroom.

Witnesses reported seeing a red Ford truck with a blue county tag, matching the description of Nodine's county truck, at Downs' home Sunday night. Neighbors tell News Five Nodine was often seen with Downs.

Nodine's county truck has been impounded in Robertsdale.

Baldwin County deputies, Gulf Shores police and Newcomb are expected to meet at 1:00 p.m.

Downs' sister, who lives in Georgia, is expected to arrive in Gulf Shores Tuesday.

The death investigation comes less than five months after marijuana was discovered in Nodine's county issued truck. The commissioner, who denied the marijuana was his, was never charged in the drug case.

Commissioner Mike Dean confirmed Monday both he and Commissioner Nodine have county issued guns. Nodine's county gun was not involved in Downs' death, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.

Nodine has been a Mobile County Commissioner since 2004. He makes $79,000 a year as a commissioner.