New evidence in 9-year-old Telfair Co. double homicide investigation

MCRAE, Ga. – In other recent developments tonight, investigators have obtained new evidence in the case of the January 2015 deaths of two Cobb county residents, Bud and June Runion.

On Sunday, April 14th, a citizen discovered a .22 caliber rifle while magnet fishing in Horse Creek on Old Prison Camp Road in McRae-Helena, Telfair county.

Continuing the search, on Tuesday, April 16th, the same individual found a bag on containing the Runions’ drivers’ licenses, credit cards, and a cell phone believed to belong to them.

Following this discovery, GBI agents and the Telfair County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at a home on Webb Cemetery Road in McRae-Helena on April 17th and April 19th, recovering evidence from both searches.

The evidence will undergo further analysis at the crime lab.

Ronnie Jay Towns was previously arrested for the Runions’ deaths and armed robbery in January 2015, and he was later indicted. The case is currently scheduled for trial in August 2024.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman at 478-374-6988.

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