An investigation continues into the murder of Keith Ratliff.  Ratliff, a resident of Carnesville, Georgia, was found shot to death at his business on Hayes Road on January 3, 2013.  Ratliff lived at his place of business and his body was discovered in an office by friends who notified the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office of the discovery.  Deputies responded to the scene and secured the residence.  Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas contacted the GBI Regional Office in Athens, Georgia for assistance in the investigation.  Special Agents of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene with crime scene specialists and investigative support resources to assist in the investigation.

The case is being investigated jointly by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the Franklin County Coroner, the Piedmont Northern Office of the District Attorney and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Agents are actively participating in the investigation as are resources from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Authorities are making progress in the search for the individual responsible for Ratliff’s murder.  Specific information concerning facts identified through this exhaustive investigation are being closely safe-guarded by law enforcement as those facts are critical to the continued effectiveness of the investigation.

Information that has been released to date includes the following:  Numerous firearms were present at the residence which also serves as Ratliff’s business.  Ratliff is co-owner of FPS Industries.  FPS Industries and FPSRussia are both firearm-related businesses.  FPS Industries is concerned with the development and production of firearms and related items while FPSRussia is an internet video production appearing on YouTube.  While weapons were located at the crime scene none have been linked directly to Ratliff’s murder. Ratliff was not bound as some reports have indicated. The cause of death as determined by an autopsy at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office is gunshot wound of head and the manner is homicide.

Further developments in the investigation that are releasable to the public will be made through future written releases posted on the GBI website (http://gbi.georgia.gov/).  Due to the overwhelming influx of media inquiry in this case, individual interviews will be limited as investigators are unavailable to meet every individual request.

Anyone with information concerning Ratliff’s murder is asked to contact the GBI Tip Line at 800-597-8477 or the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 706-384-2525.

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Contact Information:

John Bankhead - 404-270-8330