The brother of a woman who was found dead outside her Cherokee County house has been taken into custody and charged with murder, authorities said.

Joseph Twilley was spotted about 9:40 a.m. Friday by Woodstock police, said Lt. Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Twilley was driving his mother’s car that had been stolen from the scene where his sister, Karen Twilley, was found dead Wednesday morning.

Joseph Twilley will be held at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center without bond.

Baker has called Karen Twilley’s death “suspicious.” She lived with her 86-year-old mother, who is not a suspect in her death.

The body of a 58-year-old woman was found Wednesday in Cherokee County. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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