LAGRANGE, Ga. — Police are hunting for a man who allegedly murdered five people after authorities made the gruesome discovery late Saturday at a home in LaGrange, Ga.
WRBL reports authorities were alerted after receiving a phone call that one of the victims had not shown up for work in days.
When law enforcement officials arrived at the Burton’s home Saturday night to find cars in the driveway, but got no response when they knocked at the door.
Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff said he was stunned by what deputies discovered inside the residence.
“I have never seen a crime scene like this in my career, and I have been in law enforcement over 25 years. Where five people were murdered at the same time at the same home,” Woodruff said.
Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff
Authorities found the doors locked, but when they finally made their way inside; they discovered five bodies.
“So when our officers go out here and couldn’t get anyone to the door… they felt like something could be wrong,” Woodruff said. “That’s when they called the fire department; we assisted them in making entry, where we located the bodies.”
Woodruff said all the victims were living in the home. The youngest victim was 16 years old, whose 18-year-old friend was also killed. Additionally, the 16-year-old’s mother, who was in her 30s, and the teen’s two grandparents, who were in their sixties, were all found dead.
The victims were identified Sunday as Christie Lee, 33, Bailey Burtron, 16, William Burtron, 69, Sheila Burtron, 68, and Iiaonna Green, 18.
Police named 26-year-old Thomas Jesse Lee, the 33-year-old’s husband, as the suspect in the killings.
“We are currently looking for him, and we are asking anyone who has information to please call the sheriff’s office,” Woodruff said.
Lee is believed to be driving an olive green Mazda Tribute with Georgia tags BRN-0785.
