‘Chop-force trauma’ cause of death in Highland Avenue double homicide
Dougherty County coroner says small ax or hatchet may have been used in slayings
By Jon Gosa
ALBANY — The cause of death for Mamie Childs and Francis Nelson, Albany women whose bodies were discovered by authorities at a residence on West Highland Avenue Friday, has been determined, according to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler, who described the scene as “gruesome.”
“At approximately 10:03 p.m. Friday, APD officers were dispatched to 1902 West Highland Ave. for a ‘well check’ pertaining to a fight at that location,” APD Public Information Officer Phyllis Banks told The Albany Herald on Saturday. “When they arrived and entered the home, two females were discovered deceased inside.”
Fowler described the scene as gruesome and said after thoroughly examining the victims, he determined the cause of death to be “chop-force trauma.”
“At first, we couldn’t really determine a cause of death without further examination,” Fowler said. “Officially, I am calling it chop-force trauma. Both victims suffered from multiple injuries which ultimately led to their deaths.”
Arelious Haynes Jr., 51, was initially named as a person of interest in the investigation and was arrested Saturday in Troup County, where he was detained before being transferred back to Dougherty County. Police said Tuesday he has been charged in the homicides.
According to Fowler, the suspect has refused to give any information about a possible murder weapon, which has yet to be located.
“We have not found the murder weapon yet, but we are still looking,” Fowler said. “The suspect is not talking. However, we have ruled out a knife. And I don’t believe it was a hammer. My best estimate is that he used a small ax, perhaps a hatchet.”
According to Banks, children were also found at the scene, but she did not provide the ages of the children, their identities, or their relationship with the victims or any suspect.
“Officers also discovered children in the home unharmed,” Banks said. “Haynes is currently in the Dougherty County Jail and has been charged with two counts of felony murder.”
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