Body Found in Lavonia Home

Lavonia police have discovered a body inside a home on Gilmer St. off Bear Creek Road.

Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle said his office received a call for a welfare check at the residence earlier this afternoon.

“The individual was down on the ground and possibly had head injuries,” Carlisle said. “Upon arrival officers determined the situation was not a case of a welfare check, but a case of a possible signs of a criminal offense had occurred within the residence.”

Carlisle said once he believed foul play was suspected he contacted the GBI in Athens.

GBI Special Agent in Charge for the Athens office, Michael Ayers, told our sister station WLHR in Lavonia that his entire team was on the scene and he says they expected to be there most of Monday night.

“At this point in time we have been on the scene about two hours,” Ayers said late this afternoon. “Our Crime Scene units are on the scene, we are talking to neighbors, and we are beginning an examination of the residence. We are working this as if foul play is involved, but we do believe this is a homicide.”

Ayers tells says he does not believe that the public is in any danger at this time and that he believes this to be an isolated incident.

“We also believe this does not represent a continued threat to the community,” Ayers explained. “However, this case is extremely important to the GBI. We expect this investigation to go throughout the day and the night. And we will continue to press this case until we receive a positive outcome.”

In addition to the Lavonia Police and the GBI, investigators with the Franklin County Sheriff’s office, Northern Judiical Circuit District Attorney Parks White, and the County Coroner are on the scene.

At this point, authorities are not releasing the name of the victim, pending notification of family members.

We will continue to follow this developing story and bring you more information as it becomes available.