THOMASVILLE — A Thomas County grand jury is scheduled to hear the cases Monday of the person charged with a series of criminal acts that terrorized the community in mid-2018.

Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brad Shealy described the acts Robert Carter is charged with as “frightful.”

“Based on what is presented, we’re hoping for a true bill (of indictment),” Shealy said.

Carter is charged with murder in the death of 70-year-old Deanna Shirey, who disappeared from her Glenwood Drive home in the early days of July 2018. Her body was found July 13 buried in a shallow grave in the back yard of Carter’s Colton Avenue residence. The body was wrapped in a blue-and-white comforter from Shirey’s bed.

Her vehicle was found the Frenchtown area of Tallahassee, Florida, the day after she was reported missing.

Carter also is charged with tying up a Thomasville woman at her home and with taking an Ochlocknee family hostage within a 24-hour period.

Shealy described the crimes as “very severe,” adding, “They caused great concern for the community.”

Carter, who has been held without bond since July 7, 2018, is charged with murder, armed robbery and kidnapping, among other offenses.

After Shirey’s disappearance and hostage situations at Thomasville and Ochlocknee residences, an intense around-the-clock manhunt got underway by local, state and federal lawmen.

On a severely hot, humid Sunday afternoon, the fugitive was found holding onto a log in the Little Ochlockonee River and was transported by ambulance to the Thomas County Jail. A Georgia Department of Corrections officer posted in a tree saw the suspect’s face protruding from the water.

A memorial service for Shirey was conducted at First Baptist Church. Local residents and law enforcement officers attended to pay their respects to Shirey’s family members, who came to Thomasville from North Florida and South Georgia.

Shealy said the random nature of the crimes made the the situation even more frightful.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Thomasville and Tallahassee police departments have submitted findings in the cases.

“Based on evidence we have, this will not qualify for the death penalty,” the district attorney said.

Shealy said he could not comment about evidence.

If found guilty of murder, Carter could be sentenced to life in prison. Armed robbery also carries a life sentence, and kidnapping has sentences of 10 to 20 years.

 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820