UPSON COUNTY, Ga. — Two people are in custody in connection with the death of a missing man.
Channel 2's Christian Jennings learned that the Upson County sheriff took Cameron Jones, 20, and Kiera Williams, 18, into custody Friday morning in connection with the death of Roderick Crawford. They are both charged with murder, robbery and kidnapping.
Crawford's body was found Thursday night in Upson County behind a mobile home in the Lincoln Park area of Thomaston.
Crawford's family told Jennings they last saw him around 7 p.m. on Dec. 28 at his home in Barnesville when he told his sons he was going to check his work schedule.
His sister said Crawford tried to call his wife at 7:19 p.m. the day he was killed.
“Then, by 8 p.m., it was like the phone was turned off,” Tambra Crawford said.
Investigators say Roderick Crawford met Jones and Williams through an internet escort website and met them in Upson County. He was then shot to death and left behind an abandoned house.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 'You killed my brother!' Fight breaks out at scene of deadly double shooting
- Wanda Smith, Miss Sophia out at V-103
- Women held captive for hours escape through window, run for help (VIDEO)
Police believe Roderick Crawford is just one victim in a crime spree that's spanned weeks. Williams is also wanted for murder and Jones for armed robbery in Forest Park.
According to police, Williams and 21-year-old Ashanti Dorsey are charged with murdering a man at the Forest Arms apartments on College Street on Dec. 21. Police described a similar scenario to Crawford's murder, saying the two used an escort website to lure Mario Edwards, 28, to the apartment before robbing and killing him.
Dorsey is also accused of killing her boyfriend in Clayton County this week. We first told you about Dorsey Thursday on Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m. She was the first female to ever make it onto Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill's most wanted list. She was arrested Thursday night.
Forest Park police say there are several other cases possibly connected to Jones and Williams and it is a fluid investigation. They also said Williams and Dorsey are being investigated by other law enforcement agencies for crimes involving armed robbery, aggravated assault and murder.
Crawford's family gave Channel 2 Action News the following statement about the death of the beloved father of four:
"The family of Roderick Crawford would like to express sincere gratitude to those who have shown so much love and kindness in this last week. We have experienced the true meaning of community. We send a special expression of gratitude to the law enforcement officers who worked diligently to provide answers to so many unanswered questions. We do not understand the reasons for this and we ask that everyone remember Roderick as he lived his life for 46 years; as a son, brother, father, husband, nephew, cousin, and friend to many. We continue to pray that God will bless us with peace and understanding. We ask that those around us remain caring and compassionate as we heal from this unspeakable tragedy."
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to handle that investigation.
Cox Media Group
