UPDATE:

Dooly County, GA (June 15, 2020) - The autopsy has been completed on the body of Robert Middleton Davis at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Macon, Georgia.  It was determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound and manner of death has been ruled a homicide.

Additional charges are being taken against Heath Register for burglary, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Dooly County, GA (June 14, 2020) – On Saturday, June 13, 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 13 Perry Office was requested by the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a death investigation. Heath Thomas Register, 41, of Crisp County, GA, has been arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault in connection to the death of Robert Middleton Davis.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 10:05 a.m., the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 983 Swearengin Road, Vienna, GA, in reference to a death investigation and kidnapping of a female. Upon arrival at the residence, deputies located Robert Middleton Davis, 52, inside the residence deceased. Prior to this, a female was kidnapped from this residence during the incident that caused Davis’ death. The female victim was taken to Crisp County, GA and was able to contact 911 and advise them of the death. The female has been recovered and is safe. 

The Crisp County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area where the female was located and a search was conducted looking for the suspect, Heath Register. Register was last seen in a wooded area off Hwy 280 in Crisp County. The suspect reportedly was armed with a rifle.

At 5:50 p.m., Register was located at a residence on Highway 280 in Crisp County and following a brief standoff, Register was taken into custody by the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office. Register was transported to the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office for booking. 

The body of Robert Davis will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to be completed. Additional charges are anticipated against Register.

Contact

Special Agent in Charge Todd Crosby