Alabama Executes Demetrius Frazier on February 6, 2025

Demetrius Frazier, Alabama

Updated: Monday, February 3, 2025

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Demetrius Frazier was executed in Alabama.  He was pronounced dead at 6:36 pm local time, inside the execution chamber at the Holeman Correctional Facility near Atmore, Alabama.  Demetrius was 52 years of age.  He was executed for the murder of 40-year-old Pauline Brown on November 27, 1991, in Birmingham, Alabama.  For the last 28 years, Demetrius resided on Alabama’s death row.

Demetrius was born in Detroit, Michigan and his mother was only 16 years old. Demetrius lacked male role models while growing up and did not know his father.  Drugs were frequently around the home and his mother’s male friends were often violent and abusive.  His family did not have much money and lived in condemned urban neighborhoods that were often violent.  Demetrius did not do well in school, possibly due to head injuries sustained as a child and into his teenage years.  Demetrius did eventually obtain his GED (General Equivalency Diploma).

In March 1992, Demetrius Frazier was arrested in Detroit, Michigan as a suspect in the attempted rape and murder of 14-year-old Crystal Kendrick, which occurred on March 8, 1992.  Crystal was shot while attempting to escape from an abandoned house when Frazier was trying to rape her.  After his arrest, Frazier was interrogated by a detective.  During the interrogation, Frazier confessed to the murder of Pauline Brown in Alabama.

During the early morning hours of November 26, 1991, Frazier saw a light on in a ground-floor apartment at Fountain Heights Apartment complex.  Frazier entered the apartment by removing a window screen.  He intended to rob the apartment, however, after a quick search, he only found a few dollars.  Upon hearing a television on in one of the bedrooms, Frazier entered the bedroom.  Pauline Brown was asleep in the room.  Frazier woke up Pauline, pointed a gun at her, and demanded money.  She gave him $80 from her purse.  Frazier then raped her at gunpoint while she begged him not to kill her.  He demanded she stop begging and when she didn’t, he shot and killed her.

Frazier left the apartment and went across the street, fearing that someone had heard the gunshot.  After observing for a few minutes, Frazier determined no one had heard the shot and returned to the apartment.  He confirmed that Pauline was dead and searched the apartment for additional money.  Frazier ate two bananas, left the apartment, and threw the murder weapon into a ditch.

Frazier was charged in Michigan for the murder of Crystal.  He was also charged with raping eight other women.  Before going on trial, Frazier attempted to have his confession to both murders thrown out, arguing a homicide detective tricked him into confessing after he fell in love with her.  His argument was rejected and his confessions were permitted.  Frazier was convicted on April 8, 1993, and, as Michigan does not have the death penalty, Frazier was sentenced to two terms of life in prison.  For other crimes, he was sentenced to 60-90 years in prison.

After his Michigan sentencing, Frazier faced trial in Alabama.  On June 5, 1996, he was convicted of Pauline’s murder.  Two days later, he was sentenced to death.  He also received a sentence of life in prison for other charges against him.

Pray for peace for the families of Pauline Brown and Crystal Kendrick.  Pray for peace for all affected by Demetrius Frazier’s crimes.