Fitzgerald, GA - On February 1, 2018, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested Octavious Alexander Rivera, age 49, for murder in connection with the death of Bridgett Felicia Parker.

On Sunday, May 19, 1996, the body of Bridgett Parker, age 27, was discovered behind a vacant mobile home on Lulaville Road in Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Georgia.  Parker was discovered by the property owner.  Following the discovery, the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI’s Perry Office to investigate the death.  Over the years, numerous leads and work hours were utilized during the investigation but no evidence or witnesses were located to link a subject to the death of Parker. 

In May 2016, GBI agents conducted a review of the full case file and resubmitted evidence to the GBI Crime Lab.  Advancements in forensic technology over time led to new evidence and new leads.  Agents interviewed multiple witnesses in the Ben Hill County area and also in the states of Florida and Missouri.  The information gained in these recent interviews in conjunction with the findings generated in the processing of the evidence led to Rivera’s arrest.   

Rivera was taken into custody at the Tift County Jail without incident where he will be held before being transported to the Ben Hill County jail for booking.

This investigation is still active and the GBI will be conducting several more interviews and investigative acts in the next few weeks.  Once the investigation is completed, it will be turned over to the Crisp Judicial Circuit DA’s Office for prosecution.

Contact: Todd Crosby – Assistant Special Agent in Charge | 478/987-4545