A Spalding County man is facing a murder charge after deputies found his wife dead in their home Thursday morning, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

Earl Cherry, 50, of Griffin, was taken into custody without incident in connection with the death of Sandy Cherry, 50, spokesman Capt. Dwayne Jones said.

Co-workers of Sandy Cherry had requested a welfare check after she was not at work and didn’t pick up another employee she carpooled with, Jones said.

About 9:45 a.m., at the location on North McDonough Drive, deputies made contact with Earl Cherry and asked to speak with his wife, Jones said.

He refused and did not allow deputies to enter the residence, Jones said. At one point, Cherry said his wife wasn’t at home and left after an argument.

Based on observations and Cherry’s conflicting stories, deputies searched the residence, Jones said. They found a “large crime scene” and eventually found Sandy Cherry’s body.

Earl Cherry is charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated battery, concealing a death and tampering with evidence, Jones said.

In other news:

Tara Grinstead, a teacher and former beauty queen, disappeared from her home in October 2005.

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