by Al Summers
News Editor • alsummers@timescourier.com
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Gilmer County detectives and investigators from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) are awaiting the results from an autopsy at the state crime lab before making a ruling in the death of a Gilmer County woman.
According to Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, deputies and investigators from the county’s law enforcement department were dispatched to a residence on Talona Road just before 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23. Upon arrival, law officers discovered the body of a white female in her mid-40s with a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators then requested assistance from the GBI.
Technicians from the GBI’s Crime Scene Unit responded and sent the body to the crime lab for an autopsy. Due to a backlog at the crime lab, the autopsy was not scheduled to be performed until Wednesday, Dec. 28. Until the medical examiner at the crime lab makes a determination, law enforcement officials are not commenting on whether the death is a suicide or a homicide.
Nicholson said, “We are anxiously awaiting the GBI medical examiner’s findings in this case.” The investigation is ongoing.
In other law enforcement news, Gilmer County detectives arrested Robert Anthony Dean, 30, of a Talking Rock address, and have charged him with five counts of burglary, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana.
Det. Lane Bennett told the Times-Courier, “We recovered a large quantity of suspected stolen merchandise. It took a rollback wrecker and a large box truck to remove and transport all of the items.”
Dean is still being held in the Gilmer County Detention Center under $50,000 bail.
East Ellijay Police Chief Greg Arp reported officers from his department made a felony drug arrest on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. East Ellijay officers and Gilmer County Sheriff’s deputies received a “Be On Lookout” (BOLO) for a sports utility vehicle travelling north on Hwy. 515 after motorists reported it driving erratically and at a high rate of speed.
East Ellijay officers stopped the vehicle at the Highlands Shopping Complex and arrested Brian Robert Lilly, 43, of Loganville.
During the interrogation of Lilly, officers discovered a plastic bag containing suspected oxycodone. Officers also discovered two handguns and some suspected marijuana. The suspect was charged with failure to use signal while turning, violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act (VGCSA), possession of a Schedule II narcotic, possession of a firearm while under VGCSA, and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.