The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has made a significant breakthrough in a cold case with the arrest of four Thomson residents linked to a double homicide dating back to 2020. The suspects were apprehended in connection with the murders of Cheryl Newsome and Troy Bennett, whose deaths had remained a mystery for five years. Charged with two counts of Murder, two counts of Armed Robbery, and one count of 1st degree Burglary, the individuals named are Randy Hall, age 39, Lora Thornton, age 34, Chance McKenna, age 21, and a minor whose identity has not been disclosed due to legal protections for underage offenders.
Newsome, a retired nurse, and Bennett, a veteran and retired firefighter, were discovered dead in their home on August 3, 2020, amidst signs of a home invasion. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, alongside deputies from the Warren County Sheriff's Office, launched an investigation, which, despite the passage of time, remained active and diligent. Hall and Thornton are now being held at the McDuffie County Jail, while McKenna is already incarcerated within the Georgia Department of Corrections for unrelated charges.
In a collaborative effort to solve this case, the GBI Cold Case Unit joined forces with the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Thomson and the Warren County Sheriff's Office after receiving a request through the Coleman-Baker Act application filed by the victims' family on August 14, 2023. This partnership allowed for a fresh review and analysis of all evidence and investigation efforts up to that point.
The GBI and local authorities are still appealing to the public for any relevant information that could assist in the investigation and subsequent prosecution. Sources state that anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's official website and the See Something, Send Something app. The involved agencies hope these channels will encourage individuals to come forward with potentially crucial insights into the crime. Once the probe is finalized, the Toombs Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office will receive the case file for prosecution.
More details on the GBI Cold Case Unit and the Coleman Baker Act are available to the public for those seeking further information about the legislative instruments and the processes they enable. For comprehensive information on this ongoing case, visit the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's official press release.
