Final 'dark days' of mayor who shot himself when secret 'curvy girl' ID exposed

07 November 2023 , 09:54

460     0

Final 'dark days' of mayor who shot himself when secret 'curvy girl' ID exposed

A beloved mayor who shot himself dead after a conservative news site cruelly outed him as a trans 'curvy girl' was in the midst of "dark days" just prior to taking his own life, according to a heartbroken friend.

Fred L 'Bubba' Copeland, 49, died 48 hours after details of his 'alter ego' Brittini Blaire Summerlin were shared in a story online by a website called 1819 News, which included photos of the Smiths Station mayor in women’s bras, makeup and wigs.

Another story, published by the site the day Copeland died, claimed he wrote violent fantasy fiction about identity theft and posted pictures of people from his community to his Reddit page and elsewhere without their consent.

The friend, who had reached out after seeing the deceased being attacked online, said: "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'. His response was: 'Thank you. It's been some dark days'. And I said: 'I'm sure, just hang there. It will pass'.''

Mayor Fred L 'Bubba' Copeland killed himself after being exposed as 'transgender curvy girl Brittini Blaire' (Facebook)

The Phenix City pastor had also uploaded four pieces of adult, trans-related material and erotic fiction in which he fantasised about transitioning. The exposé led to some members of the community getting in touch to check that he was OK.

Cherished girl, 3, who spent half her life in hospital dies before surgery

Former Phenix City School Superintendent Larry DiChiara told NBC News: "After watching for a day or two people just relentlessly attacking Bubba, I was quite bothered by it, and I just decided to reach out to him. Some people are just heartless even in the man's death. His son is really having a hard time with it. His teenage son is taking it pretty tough."

Copeland had also contacted a friend in the local police department, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, who said Copeland had expressed anguish at what had occurred. He said: "It was a friend calling a friend. Let's just say he was concerned about the article. I think 'upset' would be a good way of putting it."

The mayor as his alter-ego Brittini Blaire Summerlin

Mayor Copeland's dressed as Brittini Blaire'

On Friday, the police went to make a welfare check on him, but he could not be traced at his home or his shop. However, cops later found him driving along a country road. They tried to stop him by flashing their lights and the troubled pastor eventually stopped, got out of the car, and killed himself.

The sheriff added: "We had no idea Copeland would die on the spot. There was obvious concern for his welfare, and deputies were attempting to get him to stop, make contact with him and assess the situation and then take action based on that assessment."

Copeland had spoken about the story exposing him last Wednesday, saying: "I've been an object of an internet attack. The article is not who or what I am." He explained the photos as having been "taken with my wife in the privacy of our home in an attempt of humour, because I know I'm not a handsome man nor a beautiful woman, either.

"I apologise for any embarrassment caused by my private and personal life. This will not cause my life to change. This will not waver 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 was praised by then-President Donald Trump for his response to a tornado in 2019 (Facebook)

He thanked the "hundreds" of people "who have reached out to me in love", adding: "I love my family, they're No.1, and again I'm sorry for what my actions have caused." Copeland was said to have been considered an outstanding community member who had spoken to then-President Donald Trump face-to-face after a devastating tornado in 2019.

It was reported that he began his "hobby" of crossdressing when he was in his youth, but did not say when Brittini Blaire Summerlin began. He said: "It's a hobby I do to relieve stress. I have a lot of stress, and I'm not medically transitioning. It's just a bit of a character I'm playing... I don't go out and seek solicitation or anything like that."

His family has not discussed the manner of his death, but church member Dan Elkins said he had been forced to remove hateful comments on its Facebook page for the past three days.

He added: "He was far from perfect – but he was my pastor, my friend and my brother. And in the midst of my anger about this whole situation – tonight my heart is just absolutely broken. By no means am I disregarding/discounting accountability - but it must be dispensed with love and care, not scorn and judgement."

Community gathers for candlelit vigil honouring girl, 4, killed by family dog

A funeral service is set for 3pm on November 9 at First Baptist Church in Phenix City.

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to http://SuicidePreventionLifeline.org

Paul Donald