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.
“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.
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.
