Post by Scumhunter on Sept 24, 2019 6:52:33 GMT -5
(Above: Austin Stryker, wanted for murder. Photo Credit: media.graytvinc.com, ajc.com)
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (ajc.com):
Murder charges have been filed in the case of a 21-year-old woman reported missing in Lumpkin County, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Authorities obtained a warrant Saturday accusing Austin Todd Stryker of murder in connection with the disappearance of Hannah Bender, officials said. Lumpkin deputies are still trying to locate Stryker.
Bender’s mother, Carol Gilreath, told Channel 2 Action News that the last time she heard from her daughter was in a text message Sept. 14. She reported her daughter missing five days later, the news station reported.
Soon after that, investigators found bloody clothing.
“We are led to believe her life has been taken,” Lumpkin Sheriff Stacy Jarrard told Channel 2.
Jarrard said there were crime scenes associated with the case in Lumpkin, Dawson and Forsyth counties. He would not say where the clothes were discovered.
Bender’s body has not been found.
It is not clear how investigators connected Stryker to the case. Officials said he may be driving a black Ford Ranger with front-end damage, Channel 2 reported.
Authorities are also looking for 78-year-old Jerry Harper, who is a person of interest in the case. Stryker and Harper may also be driving a white 2008 Ford Explorer, Channel 2 reported.
Sheriff’s officials are working with the GBI to investigate Bender’s disappearance.
Anyone with information is asked to contact sheriff’s office investigators at 706-974-6824.
www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/murder-charges-filed-case-missing-person-case-lumpkin-county/VqtDvtv1Bi6UEhG16Gcu9I/
Thoughts? I am making this a breaking news case because of the news at least as of yesterday (September 23rd, 2019), Stryker was still at large and believed to have been spotted in Clay County, West Virginia, he was believed to have been wearing blue jeans and a maroon shirt: www.wsaz.com/content/news/Man-wanted-in-Georgia-murder-spotted-in-WVa-561179841.html
This is similar to the William Greer fugitive case that was aired on America's Most Wanted in that his girlfriend Tammy Esquivel was a missing person but presumed murdered so they charged Greer anyway. In this case, sadly, Hannah Bender is also a missing person but presumed murdered. I can only hope it takes much less time to catch Stryker (and Harper if he had any involvement) than it did to catch Greer. And not to be morbid, but they still haven't found Tammy's body. If Hannah is sadly not coming back to her family, I also hope that unlike with Tammy Esquivel (so far) they can find her so they can give her a proper burial and a proper place to mourn and visit her.
Really sad case no matter the motive, Hannah was only 21-years old and had her entire life ahead of her.
**********UPDATE**********
Sadly, Hannah Bender was found deceased earlier in the week. As of September 27th, Austin Stryker was still at large, with U.S. Marshals joining the manhunt and offering a $5,000 reward. Anyone with information should call the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force at (770)-508-2500. Tips may also be given to U.S. Marshals at 1-877-926-8332 or via email at usms.wanted@usdoj.gov.
**********UPDATE**********
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