While Habersham County investigators have not yet identified any suspects or persons of interest in the murder of Deborah Collier, 59, of Athens, the investigation into her death is continuing.
Reports that Collier’s 38-year-old daughter, Amanda Bearden, was seen in a store in Rabun County so far are unfounded, investigators have said.
“Over the weekend, investigators were given information that Amanda Bearden was at the Family Dollar store in Clayton on Saturday, Sept. 10,” an updated statement from Habersham County Chief Deputy Murray Kogod reads. “An interview of the store clerk on duty on the 10th, in addition to a review of store camera footage, revealed that Ms. Bearden was not at the store on the 10th of September.”
Collier, however, did enter that store at 2:55 p.m. Sept. 10, where she remained for about 15 minutes, but investigators said all footage shows Collier was alone in the van at the time she visited the store.
While at Family Dollar in Clayton, Collier bought a rain poncho, refillable torch lighter, two-roll pack of paper towels, tarp, and a reusable tote bag, Kogod’s statement reads.
“This information allows investigators to narrow the time of death to a window beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, to the discovery of the body at 12:44 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call Investigator Cale Garrison at (706) 839-0559 or Investigator George Cason at (706) 839—0560.
