Toccoa man indicted for murder, aggravated assault

A Toccoa man has been indicted in Stephens County on one count of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault.

The Stephens County Grand Jury indicted 55-year-old Rex Douglas Holbrook earlier this week with the aforementioned charges.

According to the indictment, the charges of murder and aggravated assault stem from an incident that occurred on March 30.

As WNEG News initially reported when the incident occurred, the Toccoa Police Department had issued criminal warrants against Holbrook after the Police Department was alerted to a possible hit-and-run while conducting a traffic stop on Big A Road and Rosedale.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Jimmy Mize, officers stopped Holbrook driving a Dodge pickup truck passing vehicles, as the officer exited his vehicle, Holbrook asked him to follow him to the hospital.

Holbrook was transporting a female, who he said was unknown to him and that he found her injured on the side of the road.

When questioned, Holbrook stated he did not know the road name where he found the woman.

The Georgia State Patrol was called for assistance.

While investigators with the Police Department and GSP were working the case the victim, identified as 48-year-old Janice Allen, of Eastanollee, succumbed to her injuries.

Later that night, the scene of the incident was located at 82 Lucille Ln, in Toccoa.

The GBI along with GSP processed the scene.

Investigators from the Police Department and GBI Agents spoke with the neighbors near the scene as well as stores and businesses along Big A Road to obtain any video footage that might assist in the investigation.

On April 13, warrants were secured for Holbrook.

Holbrook was taken into custody after a brief foot-chase and transported to Stephens County Jail.