GBI Investigates Death in Brantley County Following Traffic Stop and Chase

Brantley County, GA (February 14, 2025) – The GBI is investigating the death of Corey Ray Beale, age 33, of Blackshear, GA, at the request of the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop and chase that started along Highway 84 in Blackshear, Georgia.

The investigation shows that a Blackshear Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop on the car driven by Beale. Beale stopped for a brief interaction with the officer before speeding away and leading police on a chase that eventually entered Brantley County. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol joined the chase. A Georgia State Trooper performed a PIT maneuver on Beale’s car, ending the chase along Highway 32 near the intersection of Highways 32 and 301. After the car came to a stop, Beale then shot himself while inside the car. Beale was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident involving the PIT maneuver.

Beale will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Pooler, GA for an autopsy.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation into Beale’s death.