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ATV riders made a gruesome discovery on Saturday, March 21, when they found the body of Angela Mae Young in the wooded area off of Horseshoe Bend Road.

The riders immediately contacted Decatur County Sheriff Wiley Griffin, who began a murder investigation with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Crime Scene specialist.

GBI Special Agent, Jamy Steinberg responded to the scene and was briefed by Griffin and Chief Deputy Wendell Cofer on the known facts thus far. They then began processing the scene and conducting interviews, while working on leads.

In order to identify the body, agents and investigators requested assistance from the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office in utilizing a piece of their equipment known as the “Rapid ID.” The equipment was then transported to the scene by a Georgia State Trooper and used to positively identify the victim as Young by her fingerprints.

Agents and investigators are continuing to follow all leads and conduct interviews of witnesses regarding this case, while awaiting results from the autopsy that was scheduled for March 24, at the GBI Crime Lab in Macon.

Steinberg said this autopsy is being performed to answer a lot of questions that they have based on things they suspect to have or have not happened from the examination of the scene, the condition of the body and wounds present and absent. Steinberg said this is a typical procedure, because they do not do an intrusive exam of the body on scene; it is done when the autopsy takes place.

Although the autopsy should answer some questions, Steinberg is hoping the investigation will determine where Young was killed. During the processing of evidence and conducting of interviews, the agents are looking to see if there are any additional scenes related to the crime, including this particular crime.

“At this point we are still trying to figure it all out,” Steinberg said.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the GBI in Thomasville at 229-225-4090 or the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office at 229-248-3044.