by Al Summers
alsummers@timescourier.com
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For a short period of time last Thursday, Jan. 8, Gilmer County was the focus of a nationwide manhunt for a suspected murderer and kidnapper.
Law enforcement and news helicopters circled a horse farm owned by David O’Donnell on Yukon Road as local, state, and federal law enforcement officers searched for an ex-convict from Gordon County, Jerry William Jones, 31, in connection with the murder of Nola and Tom Blaylock, Georgia Bradley, and his own 10-month-old daughter, Harley, at the Blaylocks’ home in the small town of Ranger. Jones was also a suspect in the kidnapping of three children from Ranger.
The Gilmer County farm became the focus of attention after it was reported that Jones had said he was going to kill the rest of the people in the family. O’Donnell’s wife, Kathy, is a daughter of the victims, the Blaylocks, and the sister of Bradley.
Jones was arrested in East Ridge, Tenn., just over the Georgia state line, Thursday evening, Jan. 8. Near the end of a chase, a Georgia State Patrolman caused Jones’ vehicle to spinout and wreck. Jones shot himself through the jaw at some time during the spinout, but he is expected to recover.
The three children were rescued, shaken, but unharmed.
The O’Donnells have been featured on local, national, and international news programs.