Sparta, GA Area Cold Cases

Name

Cheryl Newsome

Age

72

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The georgia bureau of investigation regional investigative office (region 7) in thomson and the warren county sheriff’s office are investigating the homicides of cheryl newsome and troy bennett. On monday, august 3, 2020, newsome and bennett were found dead inside their home located at 5191 mitchell road, mitchell, warren county, georgia.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Troy Bennett

Age

72

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The georgia bureau of investigation regional investigative office (region 7) in thomson and the warren county sheriff’s office are investigating the homicides of cheryl newsome and troy bennett. On monday, august 3, 2020, newsome and bennett were found dead inside their home located at 5191 mitchell road, mitchell, warren county, georgia.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Marquis Lawson

Age

28

Cause of Death

Hit by Vehicle

Info

Marquis deshaun lawson’s body was discovered alongside wheeler road just west of its intersection of patton road. He was believed to have been struck by a large service-type truck. A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Wendell Barber

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Wendell ronard barber, also known as "Pumpkin" or "P", was found deceased in a wooded area near piper road, covington. He had been missing since september 21, 2010.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Jeffery Nevels

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On january 22, 2008, rachel buser and jeffery eugene nevels were found dead at their residence. Both victims sustained gunshot wounds, and no sign of forced entry was found.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Rachel Buser

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On january 22, 2008, rachel buser and jeffery eugene nevels were found dead at their residence. Both victims sustained gunshot wounds, and no sign of forced entry was found.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Robin Standridge

Age

35

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

On february 28, 2001, robin reeves standridge was found murdered inside her residence located at 214 gordon street, thomson, mcduffie county, georgia. The cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Johnny Lackey

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On december 18, 1987, at approximately 6:00 a.M., johnny charles lackey was found deceased at his residence, 4 daisy st., porterdale, georgia. He appeared to have been struck in the chest by an arrow as he left the residence.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

James Morgan

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On april 17, 1985, at approximately 6:30 a.M., james parks morgan was found deceased at the intersection of harold dobbs road and crowell road in covington, georgia. He was found with a gunshot wound to the face.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Thomas Armstrong Jr

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On march 5, 1976, the georgia bureau of investigation atlanta field office began investigating a robbery/homicide at elm street liquor store in covington, ga. The victim of the homicide was thomas blake armstrong jr., the owner of the liquor store.Two weeks prior to this robbery/homicide, a robbery of another liquor store occurred in the rockdale county area. At this robbery, it was stated that one perpetrator entered the liquor store while the other perpetrator remained in a vehicle outside of the store. In addition, it has been stated that the possibility exists that the same individuals could have committed both robberies.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Joshua Adams

Age

25

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Adams had been missing since 05/20/2013. Adams vehicle was located on brockton loop jefferson, ga jackson county. A $50,000 reward has been offered by the family for information leading to the location of josh.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Tim Guy

Age

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

The gbi and the forsyth county sheriff's office have been investigating the disappearance of tim guy who was 18 years old when he was last seen on february 6, 1987.Tim is described as 6'1" tall and weighing 210 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Shortly before his disappearance, tim had moved to forsyth county from snellville, where his family still lives, to work as a stable hand at sleepy fox farm.Employees at the farm told investigators that tim was last seen around 9:30 p.M. On feb. 6, 1987, leaving with a man named jeff who was said to be driving a 1972 to 1974 chevy impala. Jeff, whose last name is unknown, was described as a big-boned, muscular person who was about 5'10" tall, 180 lbs., with brown hair and beard.According to his family, tim has a learning disability and therefore acted much younger than his age. His family feels strongly that if tim were okay, they would have heard from him long ago. Investigators have spent hundreds of hours following up on possible leads but to no avail. If you have any information on either the location of tim or on the identify of jeff, please call the forsyth county sheriff’s office at 770/781-2222 or the gbi tip line at 1-800-597-tips.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

David Bertsche

Age

47

Cause of Death

Knife/Stabbing

Info

Mr. Bertsche's body was found by loggers entering area to cut trees. He was fully clothed and his throat had been cut. Located about 100' from the body was his 1989 maroon ford taurus, similar to the one shown right, which had been burned. Victim had been attending a tax seminar in downtown atlanta during the week of sept. 21 and was last seen by neighbors at his residence in east point thursday evening, september 24, 1992, the night before his body was found. Hgt: 6' wgt: 175 lbs. Hair: reddish blond other: wore glasses occupation: accountant with the southern company location: 1.5 miles down logging road off highway 278 about 4 miles east of crawfordville in taliaferro county taliaferro county is located on I-20, 100 miles east of atlanta and 50 miles west of augusta. There is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of person(s) responsible for the death of david bertsche. Anyone with information on the death of mr. Bertsche is asked to contact: georgia bureau of investigation thomson, georgia 706-595-2575 (days) or the gbi tip line at 1-800-597-8477 (anytime)

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Marquis Lawson

Age

28

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Marquis deshaun lawson’s body was discovered alongside wheeler road just west of its intersection of patton road. He was believed to have been struck on the night of wednesday july 24th, 2013 between 10 pm and 11 pm by a large service type truck or any vehicle with a heavy bumper or brush guard. A reward is offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for his death. Jones county sheriff's office 478-986-3479 or gbi tip line 1-800-597-8477.

Agency

Jones County Sheriff's Office

Name

Amy Ellison

Age

27

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

The georgia bureau of investigation's region 7 office in thomson, georgia and the burke county sheriff’s office are investigating the murder of amy ellison. On wednesday, march 07, 2012 at approximately 5:54 a.M., the burke county sheriff’s office responded to a residence on brigham landing road in girard, georgia in reference to a female subject found with a fatal gunshot wound. The victim resided at the home along with her minor children. The oldest child found her deceased inside of the residence. The burke county sheriff’s department is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for amy’s death. Contact burke county sheriff's office at (706) 554-2133 or the georgia bureau of investigation at (706) 595-2575 with information.

Agency

Burke County Sheriff's Office

Name

Robin Standridge

Age

35

Cause of Death

Knife/Stabbing

Info

On february 28, 2001, robin reeves standridge was found murdered inside her residence located at 214 gordon street, thomson, mcduffie county, georgia. The cause of death was multiple stab wounds. A reward of $15,000 is being offered for the apprehension and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the murder. Anyone who may have information on robin’s death is asked to contact special agent patrick morgan (gbi thomson office) at 706.595.2575 or the thomson police department at 706.595.2166. Anyone who may have information on robin’s death is asked to contact special agent patrick morgan (gbi thomson office) at 706.595.2575 or the thomson police department at 706.595.2166. Georgia bureau of investigation thomson, georgia 706-595-2575 (days) or the gbi tip line at 1-800-597-8477 (anytime)

Agency

Thomson Police Department

Name

Bill Farrer

Age

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Mr. Farrer was last seen on friday, september 13, 2002 between 10:30am and 1:00pm. His boat was found that day anchored in the middle of rocky comfort creek near louisville, georgia. His truck was found parked by rocky comfort creek where he liked to fish, but numerous searches of the area failed to locate mr. Farrer.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Odilon Cabrera-Depaz

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On october 14, 2007, odilon cabrera-depaz was shot to death on sir scott rd. In athens, ga.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Kelvin McDuffie

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Kelvin mcduffie's body was found off of olympic drive in athens-clarke county, georgia on thursday, january 16, 2003. Law enforcement is requesting any information regarding his activities or associates prior to january 16, 2003. A reward is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Tara Baker

Age

23

Cause of Death

Fire

Info

On january 19, 2001, around 11:20 a.M., the body of tara louise baker was found by athens-clarke county firefighters responding to a fire at her apartment located at 160 fawn drive, athens. Subsequent investigation has determined that the fire was intentionally set and the manner of death is homicide. Tara was a first-year law school student at the university of georgia (uga). Tara, 23, was last seen alive by a friend around 7:30 p.M. On january 18 at the uga law school library. The same friend received a call at 9:46 p.M. From tara, who was still at the library. Tara phoned to make sure her friend arrived home safely and said she planned to leave the library around 10 p.M. Tara was born on january 20, 1977 in east point, georgia. She graduated love joy high school in 1995 and enrolled at georgia college in milledgeville. She graduated cum laude in 1998 with two bachelor's degrees. Classmates remember tara as a caring person who would often champion the cause of the underdog and never allowed serious students to be excluded from study groups or class projects.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Jennifer Stone

Age

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

Stone was found deceased in her apartment after missing two meetings with fellow uga students. Cause of death was strangulation.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Kelvin McDuffie

Age

24

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Athens-Clarke County Police Department

Name

Tara Baker

Age

23

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Update - may 13, 2024 more than two decades after authorities discovered a university of georgia law student’s body at her apartment, where they say a fire was set intentionally, a man has been arrested and charged in connection with the cold case. Tara louise baker was found dead in her athens, georgia, home by athens-clarke county firefighters on january 19, 2001, a day before her 24th birthday, according to a news release from the georgia bureau of investigation. On thursday, state and county investigators said edrick lamont faust, 48, was arrested and faced several charges in connection with baker’s death, including felony murder, aggravated assault, arson and aggravated sodomy, the news release says. Faust, a resident of athens, remains in jail on a $15,000 bond, according to clarke county sheriff’s office jail records. Cnn could not determine whether faust has an attorney. On january 19, 2001, around 11:20 a.M., the body of tara louise baker was found by athens-clarke county firefighters responding to a fire at her apartment located at 160 fawn drive, athens. Subsequent investigation has determined that the fire was intentionally set and the manner of death is homicide. Tara was a first-year law school student at the university of georgia (uga). Tara, 23, was last seen alive by a friend around 7:30 p.M. On january 18 at the uga law school library. The same friend received a call at 9:46 p.M. From tara, who was still at the library. Tara phoned to make sure her friend arrived home safely and said she planned to leave the library around 10 p.M. Tara was born on january 20, 1977 in east point, georgia. She graduated love joy high school in 1995 and enrolled at georgia college in milledgeville. She graduated cum laude in 1998 with two bachelor's degrees. Classmates remember tara as a caring person who would often champion the cause of the underdog and never allowed serious students to be excluded from study groups or class projects. Anyone who may have information about tara's death should contact: the athens-clarke county police department at 706-613-3337 or the gbi's athens regional office at 706-542-7901.

Agency

Athens-Clarke County Police Department

Name

Odilon Depaz

Age

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

The athens-clarke county police department and the georgia bureau of investigation are investigating the murder of odilon cabrera-depaz that occurred in athens-clarke county, ga. On october 14, 2007 odilon cabrera-depaz was shot to death on sir scott rd. In athens, ga. Anyone with information should contact det. Christopher nichols, athens-clarke county police at 706-613-3337 ext. 302 or special agent rebecca herold, gbi at 1-800-597-8477. Det. Nichols speaks spanish.

Agency

Athens-Clarke County Police Department

Name

Jennifer Stone

Age

22

Cause of Death

Ligature/Strangulation

Info

Found by fellow uga students working with her on a project. She had missed two meetings that day, one at noon and the other at 6:00pm. When she failed to show for the second meeting, the students went to her apartment to check on her. They found a side door opened a few inches, looked in and saw her body. They left immediately to call police. Cause of death: strangulation. The athens-clarke county police department and the gbi are seeking information on the murder of jennifer stone, a 22 year old university of georgia student whose body was discovered in her 3 room apartment in athens at 7:00pm on thursday, april 23,1992. Ms. Stone, from roswell, was a senior at uga majoring in advertising and had lived alone in, the apartment for about 8 months. The apartment is located at 187 hull street in the downtown business district of athens and is connected to a clothing business behind the bus station. A friend last saw her alive about midnight on april 23rd, and investigators feel jennifer was killed during the early morning hours of that same date. The cause of death was strangulation. Anyone with any information on the death of jennifer stone is asked to call the gbi tip line at 1-800/597-tips.

Agency

Athens-Clarke County Police Department

Name

Leona Danielly

Age

74

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

On october 2, 1989, 74-year-old leona danielly was found deceased inside her home located at 112 harris road, cochran, bleckley county, georgia. Her death was ruled as a homicide. At approximately 11:25 a.M., danielly’s body was discovered by an insurance agent who came by the residence monthly to collect insurance dues. Danielly was observed outside her residence by witnesses the morning of her death. The region 12 eastman gbi office was requested shortly thereafter the discovery of her body. Danielly resided alone at her residence. Danielly suffered from multiple stab wounds.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Jesus Mancilla-Velez

Age

35

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Jesus mancilla-velez was last seen on september 5, 2020, and has not been heard from since this date. His car was found abandoned on a dirt road by a landowner in crawford county, ga. A missing person task force composed of the gbi, the houston county so, the crawford county so, the peach county so, byron pd, and the fort valley pd was formed to help search for jesus. Even with extensive search efforts, he has not yet been located. His family is desperate for answers and any help locating jesus mancilla-velez would be greatly appreciated.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Keeslyn Roberts

Age

20

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Lisa Hackle

Age

51

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

The soperton police department and georgia bureau of investigation region 12 office are investigating the disappearance of 51 year old melissa "Lisa" hackle. Hackle is a white female, 5'3" in height, and 137 pounds. Hackle was last seen on january 4, 2018 in soperton. Hackle's family has not been able to locate nor speak to her since that day. Hackle's vehicle was located and recovered from behind an abandoned residence in soperton.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Teresa Dean

Age

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Teresa's photo is shown age-progressed to 17 years. She was last seen on august 15, 1999 on lawrence drive in macon, georgia. She has a speech impediment and she may be in need of medical attention.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Sabrina Long

Age

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Last seen august 14, 1991, in bloomfield area of south macon. $7,000 reward offered for information leading to arrest & conviction of person(s) responsible for her disappearance.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Anne Outz

Age

49

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On june 24, 2006, anne outz was found dead in a wooded area near the red minnow restaurant on brewers bridge road. She was last seen on june 6, 2006, and was found deceased on june 24, 2006.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Scott Castillo

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On monday, february 16, 2004 , scott arturo castillo was found murdered outside his residence located at 4642 thomson highway , lincolnton, lincoln county , georgia. The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. Evidence suggests castillo was killed on sunday, february 15, 2004 . Castillo lived alone at his residence.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Sonya Tukes

Age

22

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On may 10, 2004, sonya lawona tukes was reported missing. Sonya was last known to be alive at her residence at 190 wimberly circle, tennille, washington county, georgia, on may 9, 2004. Sonya lawona tukes was last seen wearing a black tshirt, green pants, and black flip flops. Foul play is suspected.

Agency

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Name

Jimmy Webb

Age

67

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

On friday, october 6, 2000, the elbert county sheriff's office in elberton, georgia responded to a local residence where the body of a 67-year-old white male had been discovered. The victim, jimmy harris webb, had been shot to death approximately four days earlier. At the time of the murder, the victim was in possession of a very large coin collection believed to be valued in excess of $100,000.00. The collection consisted of approximately 500 to 1000 coins that ranged in date from the early 1800's to present. The safes containing the coin collection had been broken open and all the coins were taken. There were no signs of any struggle or forced entry into the home. If anyone has any information on this homicide or on the stolen coins, please contact the investigative division of the elbert county sheriff's department at (706) 283-2420 or (706) 283-2032. Special agent ben williams with the athens office of the georgia bureau of investigation can also be contacted at (706) 542-7901. Agencies: elbert county sheriff's office georgia bureau investigation athens regional office contact: scarborough, elbert county sheriff's department at (706) 283-2032 special agent ben williams, gbi athens office, at (706) 542-7901

Agency

Elbert County Sheriff's Office

Name

Scott Castillo

Age

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

On monday, february 16, 2004 , scott arturo castillo was found murdered outside his residence located at 4642 thomson highway , lincolnton, lincoln county , georgia. The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. Evidence suggests castillo was killed on sunday, february 15, 2004 . Castillo lived alone at his residence. A reward of $1500 is offered for the apprehension and prosecution of those responsible for the murder of scott castillo. Contact s/a tony williamson, gbi thomson, 706/595-2575 or lincoln county sheriff's department, 706/359-4118.

Agency

Lincoln County Sheriff's Department