Sunday, September 23, 2018

(News 12 at 6 o'clock)

THOMSON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT)-- There's neither caution tape, nor crime scene stickers to mark the murder-suicide at a home on Red Haven. Instead, family members walked in and out of the garage where the final shot was fired-- a husband killing himself, after killing his wife.

Sunday morning took a deadly turn, a little before 6 o'clock, when deputies arrived to find a crime scene awaiting.

"It's almost unreal, really." Neighbor Mickey Chamineak heard the news from another neighbor. "He told us that there had been a murder in the neighborhood."

Murder first, then suicide. According to GBI officials, Cindy Cason's body was lying lifeless in the yard while her husband barricaded himself in the garage.

"I found out that it was another couple, middle-aged." Chamineak continued, "I could not understand how the husband had murdered

his wife."

McDuffie County Sheriff deputies, Columbia County SWAT and GBI all worked together this morning, to try to talk Jeff Cason down.

Like many of the neighbors on Red Haven, the Chamineaks were on their way to church when they began to piece it all together.

And, it's the message in this morning's sermon that makes their hearts a little heavier for the Cason family.

"I just see the importance more than ever to have Jesus Christ in your life," he cried.

The police cars that blocked the end of the road revealed part of the story. After nearly four hours of SWAT team negotiations, Jeff Cason turned the gun on himself.

"Well obviously, we've been praying for them, been praying for the whole neighborhood." Adding, "we will reach out and do whatever we can to help them and make sure they are loved."

UPDATE

Sunday, September 23, 2018

THOMSON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Early on Sunday morning, the GBI said the McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the GBI regarding a homicide investigation on Red Haven Drive in Thomson.

Investigators from the GBI said McDuffie County deputies were dispatched to 2281 Red Haven Drive in reference to a person being shot.

Once they got there, they say they found a woman dead in her yard. The GBI said that woman is Cynthia Cason.

As they looked around, investigators said they found her husband, Jeffery Cason, barricaded inside a garage near the home. SWAT assistance was called in from Columbia County where law enforcement attempted to make contact and negotiate with Jeffery Cason, who they believed to be a suspect in his wife's death.

Hours later, the SWAT team from Columbia County entered the home and said they found Jeffery Cason dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The GBI is continuing to investigate. News 12 has a crew on the way to the scene.