Press Releases: 2023

UPDATE:

Sylvester, GA (March 17, 2023) – On Thursday, March 9, 2023, the GBI received confirmation that human remains recovered in August 2020 have been identified as Crystal Hendrix.  Hendrix was last seen on March 8, 2013, and reported missing on April 25, 2013.  At the time of her disappearance, she was 27 years old.  The Tift County Sheriff's Office conducted a missing person’s investigation relating to Hendrix’s disappearance.  In October 2022, the GBI partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to have genealogical DNA analysis completed on the remains.  Agents obtained DNA from Hendrix’s mother and the comparison indicated a parent/child relationship.  

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Omega, GA (August 19, 2020) – On Friday, August 14, 2020, the Tift County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to assist in a death investigation.

Police received information about possible human remains on property located at 456 Urbana Road, Omega, GA. Agents and Tift County Sheriff’s Investigators obtained a search warrant for the property. After conducting a thorough examination of the property, human remains were excavated. At this time, the remains have not yet been identified. The investigation remains active and ongoing with leads being pursued by both GBI Agents and Tift County Sheriff’s Investigators.

Augusta, GA (March 17, 2023) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Augusta, Richmond County, GA. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) requested the GBI conduct an independent investigation on March 15, 2023. One man was shot and is in custody. No officers were injured in this incident.

UPDATE:

Joel Jared Butler was arrested in Twiggs County after a car chase that began in Bleckley County. He was charged with arson and malice murder. Additional charges are expected.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

Eastman, GA - On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 4:47 p.m., the GBI was requested to assist with an arson and homicide investigation. Preliminary information revealed that Joel Jared Butler, age 31, of Eastman, killed William Harrell, age 49, of Eastman, at 724 Old River Road Eastman, GA and then set the house on fire. The fire call was dispatched at 3:12 p.m. on March 15, 2023. 

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 4:47 p.m., the GBI was requested to assist with an arson and homicide investigation. Preliminary information revealed that Joel Jared Butler, age 31, of Eastman, killed William Harrell, age 49, of Eastman, at 724 Old River Road Eastman, GA and then set the house on fire. The fire call was dispatched at 3:12 p.m. on March 15, 2023. 

Talking Rock, GA (March 15, 2023) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting in Pickens County, GA. The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on March 15, 2023. One man was shot and killed. No officers were injured during the incident. 

Temple, Carroll County, GA (March 15, 2023) –  The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Carroll County, Georgia. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on March 15, 2023.  One man, identified as Robert Bruce Clendenin, age 76, was shot and killed.  No officers were injured in this incident.

Cordele, GA (March 14, 2023) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Cordele, GA. The Cordele Police Department requested the GBI conduct an independent investigation on March 13, 2023. No officers were injured in this incident.

East Dublin, GA (March 14, 2023) – The GBI has arrested several individuals in connection to a home invasion and the death of Jeffery Bell in East Dublin that occurred on November 13, 2022. Elijah Inman (age 21 of East Dublin), Brantley Johnson, Jr. (age 15 of East Dublin), Jamal Stewart (age 20 of East Dublin), Nazorian Taylor (age 16 of East Dublin), and Damarion Page (age 16 of East Dublin) have all been charged with malice murder, felony murder, armed robbery, home invasion, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and multiple counts of the street gang and terrorism prevention act.

Bartow County, GA (March 13, 2023) The GBI and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a Cartersville man in connection to a 15-year-old murder investigation.  On Sunday, March 5, 2023, Shannon Tapley, age 43, was arrested and charged with murder for the death of 20-year-old Lance Jay Banister, of Acworth, Georgia. 

UPDATE

Atlanta, GA (March 10, 2023) - The GBI is aware of media reports published today that made allegations concerning the officer involved shooting that occurred on January 18th.  The GBI did not conduct Manuel Teran’s autopsy.  The autopsy was done by the DeKalb Medical Examiners Office and not the GBI as the reports stated.  The GBI continues to work diligently to protect the integrity of the investigation and will turn our findings over to an appointed prosecutor for review and action.  

The actions of the GBI to prevent inappropriate release of evidence are solely intended to preserve the integrity of the investigation and to ensure the facts of the incident are not tainted.   The GBI investigation still supports our initial assessment.  All the facts, to include any information brought forward by the family’s attorney, will be assessed along with all other investigative information by the special prosecutor.  The GBI cannot and will not attempt to sway public opinion in this case but will continue to be led by the facts and truth.  We understand the extreme emotion that this has caused Teran’s family and will continue to investigate as comprehensively as possible.

Decatur, GA (March 10, 2023) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an officer involved shooting investigation in Decatur, GA. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on March 9, 2023. One man was shot. He was treated and released to the sheriff’s office. No officers were injured during the incident.