Officials say the man located deceased about one-quarter mile from where his mother was found dead Wednesday afternoon apparently took his own life.
Northern Circuit District Attorney Parks White issued a written statement about the incident and subsequent investigation.
“During the early afternoon hours of Nov. 22, members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office, the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, Lavonia Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the District Attorney’s Office responded to a call to 222 Misty Mills Road, Lavonia, in reference to an unresponsive 84-year-old woman, who was determined to be deceased by emergency medical technicians,” White’s release states.
Elizabeth O’Barr, 84, who was found in her bedroom by relatives, died of multiple stab wounds to the chest, according to information provided by White.
“The prime suspect was her son, Thomas Everett O’Barr, 63, who resided on the same property,” the release states.
Responding officers began an active manhunt before 3 p.m., locating Thomas O’Barr a short time later in the woods a short distance from the crime scene, according to White.
“Thomas O’Barr was deceased, and, by all appearances, took his own life,” according to White.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 11 and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office documented the scene and worked to ensure no other parties were involved.
White said it appears Thomas O’Barr acted alone.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/11/608913/gbi-franklin-county-officials-investigate-apparent-murdersuicide