October 23, 2013
GBI Asked to Investigate Death of Rabun County Deputy
Hiawassee, GA – On Sunday, October 20, 2013, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation involving an off-duty Rabun County Deputy Sheriff. GBI Agents responded to the residence of Casey Payne located at 2712 Black Mountain Road in Toccoa, Georgia, and found Payne deceased in the back yard area of the residence. Payne had sustained a single gunshot wound, and first responders located a handgun within close proximity to the victim. An autopsy was conducted at the GBI State Crime Lab which ruled Payne’s death as a suicide.