A 66-year-old woman had likely been dead for several days when she was found inside a home where she rented a room, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
Although investigators have not determined how Patricia Seabolt died, the homeowner has been arrested on two felony charges: concealing the death of another and possession of methamphetamine. Brian Justin Barden, who owns the Dallas-area Colbert Road home, was being held in the Paulding jail on $5,700 bond, the sheriff’s office said.
On Monday, deputies were asked to go to the home after family members were unable to reach Seabolt for several days, Sgt. Ashley Henson said. Seabolt’s body was found inside the home.
“Based on what was observed at the scene, it was obvious to detectives and the deputy coroner that Ms. Seabolt had been deceased for some time,” Henson said in an emailed statement.
Barden returned to the home later the same day and was interviewed by detectives, who learned Seabolt rented a room in the house. Barden was arrested the same evening.
Seabolt’s cause of death has not been determined. The GBI will be conducting an autopsy, the sheriff’s office said.
“More charges could possibly be pending once the manner and cause of death is determined by forensic pathologists,” Henson said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Investigations tip line at 770-443-3047 or download the free Paulding Sheriff mobile app to send in a tip.
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