Two people have been charged in the death of Samuel Verner Harbin, 82, of Lavonia on Aug. 8.
Rayfondia Nashon Craft, 45, of Hartwell and Krister Odister, 30, of Bowersville were arrested Thursday and are charged with one count each of malice murder.
Craft and Odister were arrested without incident in the Bowersville area by law enforcement authorities from the Hart County Sheriff's Office, Lavonia Police Department, Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Officials say the arrests follow a nearly round-the-clock investigation by those agencies in collaboration with Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Hartwell Police Department.
An employee of Point South Mobile Home Park found Harbin dead inside his home after Harbin failed to arrive at his office Monday.
Preliminary autopsy results completed by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office indicate that the cause and manner of death was homicide by blunt force injury.
As the investigation continues to progress, additional criminal charges will be forthcoming, according to the GBI.
Officials are not discussing any possible motive in the case, nor or they releasing additional information.
The investigation continues with additional leads being developed and addressed, according to the GBI.
Anyone with information concerning Craft or Odister and their connection to this crime is asked to call Hart County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 376-3114, Lavonia Police Department at (706) 356-4848, or the GBI at (800) 597-8477.
