Becky Holland
AMERICUS — As reported in Tuesday’s edition of the Times-Recorder, officers from the Americus Police Department (APD) responded to a call of what appeared to be an apparent homicide.
Maj. Richard McCorkle, APD Investigations Division, had reported that at 6:21 p.m. Monday, police had received a call of a homicide at 818 1/2 Magnolia St.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the body of a black female. According to McCorkle, the body was found by the victim’s daughter.
McCorkle also stated that the victim’s car had been discovered, abandoned, at a then undisclosed location. The vehicle was found on the Georgia Southwestern State University campus. “We definitely have a person of interest as a suspect,” McCorkle said Tuesday. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) Region III Americus Office and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office had been called in to assist in the investigation.
Early Tuesday afternoon, the GBI, in conjunction with the Americus Police Department, released the victim’s name.
Dorothy Sheffield Welborne, 46, was found deceased in her home located at 818 1/2 Magnolia St., Americus on Monday afternoon.
According to Special Agent Trebor Randle, GBI Region III Office, Welborne was last seen by family members on Sunday, June 28. When Welborne failed to answer several telephone calls, a “welfare check” was conducted by family members Monday, when her body was found.
Randle stated, “The investigation is ongoing at this time.”
McCorkle said Tuesday, “I believe we are headed in the right direction with our investigation.”
Welborne’s body will be transported to the state crime lab where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone who has information pertaining to the case should contact the Americus Police Department at 924-3677 or the GBI at 931-2439.
The Times-Recorder will follow up with details as they are made available in print and online at www.americustimesrecorder.com.
Barnum Funeral Home in Americus is handling funeral arrangements.
