Interim DA takes over in Statesboro area after predecessor’s sudden death
Correction
This story has been updated to say Jillian Gibson automatically became the acting DA upon Robert Busbee’s death. Gov. Brian Kemp will name an official replacement.
Jillian Gibson is taking over as the acting district attorney in the Ogeechee Judicial District, which covers four counties in southeastern Georgia, after the elected official overseeing the office died of an apparent heart attack late last week.
Robert Busbee collapsed while working out at a gym, The Garage at Statesboro, on May 22 and was taken to the East Georgia Regional Medical Center, but died at 9:07 a.m., according to the Bulloch County Coroner’s Office.
Gov. Brian Kemp will name a replacement to complete the rest of Busbee’s four-year term in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. Busbee took office in January 2025.
Gibson had been Busbee’s chief ADA and ran the major crimes division of the office, according to an earlier statement about her appointment.
The Ogeechee Circuit includes Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven counties.
The Ogeechee Circuit district attorney’s office described Busbee’s death as a “tragedy” in a written statement on Tuesday.
“As we move through this difficult transition, our office remains committed to honoring both his legacy and the work he cared so deeply about,” the office wrote in the statement.
The DA’s office said the “outpouring of love” following Busbee’s death as “overwhelming in the best way possible.”
They asked for prayers and support for Busbee’s wife, Erika, and their three young children. Before becoming district attorney, Busbee operated his own law practice in Statesboro.
Bulloch County Coroner Chuck Francis recalled running for office alongside Busbee in 2024 and described him as an “all-round good guy.”
“He was a running mate of mine, he just wanted to come in and do it right,” Francis said.
Francis said Statesboro was still in shock over Busbee’s death.
The Garage declined to comment, but posted on Instagram that the gym held their annual Memorial Day “Murph” workout in honor of Busbee. He was “part of our Garage family,” the gym said in its post.
“Today was emotional. It was hard. It was sad,” the gym wrote in the post. “But it was also a reminder of how precious life is, how quickly things can change, and how much community matters.”
About the Author
Alex Nettles is a breaking news reporting intern for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is a recent graduate of Elon University who loves hearing a good anecdote.
