Grandparents found dead in Barrow County home were shot to death
Two grandparents who were found dead in their Barrow County home earlier this week were shot to death, the sheriff told Channel 2 Action News.
Investigators said they were called to the Southridge Road residence in Winder after an adult relative discovered the bodies of Willard Ron Hess, 70, and Dorothy E. Hess, 72. The relative notified the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office just before 9:30 a.m. Monday, according to the agency.
RELATED: Barrow authorities investigating deaths of grandparents as double homicide
During their investigation, sheriff’s deputies and GBI agents processed two scenes, the Hess home and the home of the relative who discovered their bodies across the street. He is their grandson, Channel 2 reported.
Barrow Sheriff says no one ruled out as suspect in murders of Willard and Dorothy Hess. Both were shot to death. Sheriff believes key to case is finding the driver of this car. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/YumVktXP7r
— Tony Thomas (@TonyThomasWSB) May 22, 2019
“The family member’s residence was processed as a precautionary measure because it was believed there were two scenes involved,” sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Ryan Sears said Tuesday morning in a news release.
Barrow Sheriff says both victims in double homicide were shot to death. Willard and Dorothy Hess found Monday morning . @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/fWpgRIlFUu
— Tony Thomas (@TonyThomasWSB) May 22, 2019
Deputies told Channel 2 the last time anyone spoke to or saw the couple was late Thursday or early Friday.
Investigators are interested in speaking with the owner of a vehicle seen in the Winder neighborhood. They released three photos of the vehicle, which appears to be a dark sedan.
According to Channel 2, the subdivision is a single-road neighborhood with one way in and one way out. Officials told the news station the car was parked in front of the Hess’ home at least twice in the week before their bodies were discovered.
“It's tough to piece together, but we feel confident," Sheriff Jud Smith said. "We want to know who was driving that car.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 770-307-3080.
About the Author
Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.
