STATENVILLE —
Based on a preliminary autopsy report, the 28-year-old woman killed on Saturday in Echols County was shot to death, not stabbed as authorities initially reported.
Her 61-year-old boyfriend is charged in the case.
Late Wednesday, Echols County Coroner Allen Leonard reported that Martha Felton, 28, had been shot multiple times. Authorities originally believed she had been stabbed multiple times.
“We were all baffled when the results came in,” he said. “We all thought the victim was stabbed to death.”
Just before midnight Saturday, in the 1400 block of Bethel Church Road, the Echols County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Echols County Coroner Allen Leonard responded to the residence of Lynnwood Reginald Mathis.
Once inside the residence, officials found the nude body of Martha Felton wrapped in a blanket on the floor in the hallway, Sheriff Randy Courson said earlier this week.
“The woman appeared to have been stabbed,” Courson initially said. “A deputy noticed puncture wounds to her body.”
The coroner confirmed that the woman died from multiple stab wounds to the torso. The body was sent to the State Crime Lab in Macon for an autopsy.
Mathis is charged with murder.
Courson said Mathis walked into the sheriff’s office at approximately 11:15 p.m. and told the officers on duty that he needed to see the sheriff. Courson was not in the office at the time but said that, according to his deputies, Mathis kept repeating, “She’s dead.” Deputies drove the suspect to his residence and discovered Felton’s body.
“We got a search warrant,” Courson said, “and from the evidence collected at the scene, we were able to make the arrest.”
Courson also said Mathis and Felton were in a relationship, and the sheriff was familiar with them as they had previous domestic issues requiring the sheriff’s office’s involvement.
However, the sheriff was unaware of what events may have led to Saturday night’s incident.
Local News
Autopsy: Woman shot, not stabbed
- Local News
-
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
-
Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide
Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.
-
Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year
Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.” -
VPD offers online citation payment
The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.
-
School system grades policy gets national exposure
Local radio personality Scott James of Talk 92.1 will be appearing on “Fox & Friends” today at 7:45 a.m. to share feedback about the new grading policy implemented by the Lowndes County School System.
-
Don Giovanni: VSU presents Mozart’s most famous opera
VALDOSTA — Editing Mozart isn’t for sissies.
It takes a certain knowledge, talent and sheer chutzpah to perform surgery on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Alas, in our age of short-attention spans, it is a challenge which many opera productions must consider, given that many of Mozart’s originals stretched as long as four hours. -
Traffic Unit coming to Hahira
HAHIRA — The Hahira City Council voted to allow the addition of a Traffic Enforcement Unit to the Hahira Police Department at Thursday night’s regular session council meeting.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit will patrol two miles of Interstate 75 and according to Hahira Police Chief Terry Davis, has nothing to do with making money and everything to do with the safety of Hahira’s citizens. -
Life’s a Drag
Theatre Guild Valdosta unleashes some of its leading players this week to star in its newest comedy, “Leading Ladies.”
- More Local News Headlines
-
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
