UPDATE: The autopsy on James Roberts, 72, that was completed Friday found Roberts was stabbed and beaten to death. The report concluded that the cause of death was combined blunt force trauma to the head and multiple stab wounds to the throat and chest.

The suspect, Daniel Shaw, 23, and Roberts reportedly had an arguement over medications. Both had prescription and over the counter medications, which were present in the home.

Roberts had previously been arrested in Rockdale by a regional drug task force in 2001 for obtaining a contained substance by fraud (prescription fraud) and for shoplifting in 2004.

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Conyers man charged with murder of elderly roommate

(Jan. 29, 12:57 p.m.) A 23-year-old Conyers man has been charged with the death of his elderly male roommate.

Daniel Charles Lee Shaw, 23, has been charged with malice murder for the death of James Roberts, 72.

Shaw was reportedly homeless when Roberts picked him up and took him in. The two, who are not related, had lived together in Roberts' single-story duplex for about a year. Shaw, who is unemployed, assisted Roberts.

Police were called to the home on the 1000 block of Pine Street about midnight, according to Conyers Police spokesperson Investigator Kim Lucas.

Shaw called 911 and told police that Roberts was unresponsive and had been down for about an hour. On the phone, Shaw reportedly indicated he detected some pulse or breath and then indicated there was none.

But when first responders arrived, "the victim was clearly deceased and had been deceased for some time," said Lucas.

The cause of death was not immediately apparent and investigators await autopsy results. But "Physically, on the suspect and victim, they had signs of a physical altercation. Inside the home there were signs of a physical altercation," said Lucas.

There were reportedly wounds apparent and blood drawn, although no appearance of gunshot wounds. Investigators collected weapons from the scene, including knives.

The two reportedly had an arguement over medications. Both had prescription and over the counter medications, which were present in the home.

Shaw has been charged with malice murder and is currently booked in the Rockdale County jail.