By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
No new leads in gruesome murder case
Placeholder Image

Investigators from the Newton County Sheriff's Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation are regrouping over the weekend before continuing their search in the suspected murder and dismemberment of a woman.

"We're going to rest up this weekend and be with our families," said NCSO Lt. Bill Watterson. "Then we'll start back on Monday."

Yesterday, investigators dragged nearby lakes for more evidence, but the expedition turned up empty.

 On Thursday, the search went high tech when investigators planted a Global Positioning System tracker on the dog which originally found a human foot on the property.

Watterson said a review of the dog's movements indicated it only explored the areas surrounding the secluded four houses. Investigators were hoping the dog might lead them to a previously unsearched location.

A woman's severed arms, legs, feet and a hand of were located in the wooded residential area off of Ga. Highway 212 early Tuesday morning. Since the initial call, investigators have only been able to locate the woman's other hand, Watterson said.

The victim's finger prints turned up no matches in the sheriff's or GBI's systems.

From the body parts found investigators have been able to determine the victim was petit in size and either Hispanic or white. The body parts were found between the back of an unoccupied house and a small lake. A neighbor called 911 after she found her dogs fighting over the woman's foot. At first, the woman reportedly thought the foot was fake and possibly just part of a Halloween prank.

The body parts were described as "cleanly severed" and not badly decomposed. Due to the lack of blood, investigators suspect the victim was actually murdered elsewhere.

Watterson said investigators are working mostly on theories at this point and are asking for any help the public can provide.

Investigators are inclined to believe the victim knew her murderer and also, because of the secluded nature of the area, Watterson said the killer was likely familiar with the neighborhood, which is heavily wooded and cannot be seen from the highway.

If you have information about this crime, please call the Newton County Sheriff's Office at (678) 625-1403. Tips may also be given anonymously at (678) 625-5007 or on their Web site www.newtonsheriffga.org.