GBI Investigates Death in Tifton, GA

Tifton, GA (April 21, 2025) – At the request of the Georgia State Patrol, GBI agents are investigating the death of Dyllyn Willoughby, age 36, of Fort Payne, AL.

Preliminary information indicates that at about 1:00 p.m., a Georgia State Patrol trooper attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Willoughby after observing Willoughby’s vehicle hit another vehicle in Crisp County, GA. Willoughby refused to pull over, and a pursuit began. During the pursuit, Willoughby pointed a handgun at the trooper. The pursuit crossed over into Tift County, and a trooper performed a PIT maneuver on Willoughby’s vehicle. The PIT maneuver disabled Willoughby’s vehicle on I-75 South near Exit 59. While law enforcement attempted to take Willoughby into custody, he fired his gun and was later pronounced deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Further investigation revealed that no law enforcement personnel fired their guns during this incident.

Willoughby’s body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Macon, GA, where an autopsy will be performed.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Tift County District Attorney’s Office for review.