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An Atmore woman was arrested Aug. 9 during a traffic stop in connection with a death investigation in March 2020, according to officials.

Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said in a release that Josephine Gaines, 34, was arrested on an outstanding murder warrant.

Brooks said the arrest occurred on Sun., Aug. 9.

“The Atmore Police Department conducted a traffic stop on South Main Street and identified a passenger in the vehicle as having an outstanding murder warrant for her arrest,” Brooks said. “Josephine Gaines, 34, of Atmore, was arrested on the warrant and transported to the Atmore City Jai.”

Brooks said while the officer was escorting Gaines inside the building, she fled from the officer on foot.

“After a short foot chase, the officer was able to regain control of Gaines and placed her in jail,” he said.

Brooks said the arrest stems from a March 2020 death investigation conducted by Atmore police investigators, where a badly-decomposed female was found by APD officers after receiving a burglary in progress complaint at 71 Jones St., in Atmore.

“APD officers discovered evidence at the home that led them to believe the home had been forcibly entered,” Brooks said. “APD officers entered the home and found the victim in a bedroom. The female was later identified by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences as Vandoren Dailey, by dental records.”

Brooks said APD investigators learned during the investigation that the victim was left alone in the home for several months by Gaines, and was unable to care for herself.

“APD investigators found documents where Josephine Gaines, the victim’s sister, was responsible for her care,” he said.

Gaines was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center, where she faces the murder charge and escape III.