Update

Eatonton, GA - On Tuesday, December 20, 2016, the death of Lydia Ivanditti was ruled a homicide due to the combined effects of strangulation and drowning.  On the afternoon of December 20, 2016, Frank Don Causey, age 26, was arrested in Eatonton and charged with one count of Murder (OCGA 16-5-1).  Causey is an acquaintance of Ivanditti and originally from Memphis, TN, but has been living in Eatonton on and off for several years.  This investigation has been a combined effort of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation,  Eatonton Police Department, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Community Supervision, Georgia Department of Corrections Criminal Investigations, Georgia State Patrol, Winder Police Department, United States Secret Service, Texas Rangers, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and Hellam Township Police (York, PA).  

This investigation remains active and ongoing and no further information is available for release at this time.

SAC Joe Wooten | GBI - Milledgeville | 478/445-4173

Eatonton, GA – On the afternoon of Friday, December 2, 2016 the Eatonton Police Department responded to a call involving a death at 307 West Walnut Street, Eatonton, Georgia. The victim has been identified as Lydia Ivanditti, a 63 year old female, who was the owner of the residence. Her body was discovered by a family member of Ivanditti after becoming concerned over Ivanditti’s wellbeing.

The Eatonton Police Department secured the scene pending the arrival of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Putnam County Coroner’s Office. The scene was processed by the GBI well into the morning hours of Saturday, December 3rd, along with interviews and investigative acts that were conducted for this death investigation.

Ivanditti’s body was transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Atlanta today, where an autopsy has been performed. The final results of the autopsy are pending additional lab testing and examination, the circumstances of the death are suspicious of foul play and still under investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with any information related to the death of Ivanditti is asked to contact the Eatonton Police Department at (706) 485-3551 or the GBI Milledgeville Office at (478) 445-4173.