Roger Owens, 22, was arrested on Tuesday for the murders of 64-year-old Carson Holliman Sr., his 63-year-old wife, Vondell, and their 24-year-old grandson, Christopher
A 22-year-old man has been charged with murder in the summer slayings of a coastal Georgia couple and their autistic adult grandson.
Brunswick police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Roger Owens on Tuesday and charged him with three counts of malice murder.
Nearly four months ago authorities found 64-year-old Carson Holliman Sr., his 63-year-old wife, Vondell, and their 24-year-old grandson, Christopher, shot to death inside their Brunswick home.
Police were called on June 18 after the pastor of Zion Baptist Church went to their house on Wolfe street to see why they hadn’t shown up for Sunday morning services, as they did every week.
After no one answered the door, the pastor allegedly went to the back of the house and saw a window pushed up and the air conditioner on the ground, and immediately called authorities, a neighbor of the Hollimans told the The Florida Times-Union.
Brunswick Police Chief Kevin Jones told the Florida news outlet that Owens had been on their radar as a suspect from the beginning, and that at the time of the murders he lived near the family.
Those who knew the family remember them as very active in their church, with Vondell singing in the choir and Christopher playing drums.
Although Christopher Holliman (pictured) had autism, he lived a full life and went to culinary school at Coastal Pines Technical College, according to his sister Jasmine Young
Christopher had autism but his half-sister Jasmine Young told the Brunswick News he lived a full live, having earned a culinary arts degree from Coastal Pines Technical College and working at a Winn Dixie.
‘He was a church person, loved church,’ she said. ‘And he loved playing the drums. Music was his passion. He was a loving, caring sweet person. Always happy. Never sad. He always spoke encouraging words to you, no matter what.’
Authorities had offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
No further information was released on how police connected Owens to the slayings, and it was not immediately known if Owens had an attorney.
The family were found shot to death on June 18 in their on Wolfe street home (pictured) after their pastor worried that they hadn’t shown up for Sunday service
The Hollimans were said to be very involved in the Zion Baptist Church (pictured), with Vondell singing in the choir and Christopher playing drums