Suspect Charged With Murder After Week-Long Investigation Leads to Discovery of Missing Man’s Body

HARALSON COUNTY, Ga. — A week-long investigation into the disappearance of a Haralson County man has resulted in murder charges against a suspect and the discovery of human remains believed to be those of the missing victim.

According to the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began on Friday, May 22, when Sheriff Stacy Williams received a confidential tip regarding a possible homicide. The Criminal Investigative Division was notified, and Corporal Paige Atkins began investigating the information. At the time, no missing persons reports matched the details provided in the tip.

The following day, family members reported Richard Cash missing, stating they had not seen him since approximately 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Investigators determined that information from the missing persons report matched details contained in the earlier crime tip.

Over the next several days, Atkins and members of the Criminal Investigative Division worked extensively on the case. Investigators interviewed family members, conducted neighborhood canvasses and utilized technology to identify Robert Anthony “Bobby” Hill as a suspect. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Haralson County District Attorney’s Office were notified and assisted in the investigation.

On Sunday, May 24, officers with the Tallapoosa Police Department attempted to stop Hill’s vehicle. Authorities said Hill fled, leading officers on a pursuit into Haralson County along Valley Road. Hill eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Deputies used a drone during the search, but heavy rainfall allowed Hill to evade capture.

Shortly after midnight on Monday, May 25, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office located Hill and attempted another traffic stop. Investigators said Hill was known to be wanted on fleeing and attempting to elude charges and was also a suspect in the homicide investigation.

After the vehicle stopped, Hill allegedly fled on foot while his girlfriend, Christy Nelson, was detained. Authorities said Hill ran a short distance before throwing an object over a fence. Deputies then used a Taser to take him into custody. A subsequent search reportedly uncovered a pair of gloves containing a .38-caliber firearm.

Hill and Nelson were transported to the Haralson County Detention Center. During the booking process, authorities said drugs were found on Hill. Nelson was interviewed and later released as the investigation continued.

Investigators spent the following days executing search warrants and conducting extensive searches in the Treat Mountain area. The search effort included assistance from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia State Patrol, crime suppression deputies and investigators using all-terrain vehicles to cover large areas of rugged terrain.

The search culminated on Wednesday, May 27, when investigators discovered human remains in a remote wooded area just across the Polk County line.

According to authorities, members of the Haralson County Crime Scene Unit were searching one of the targeted areas when they detected an odor. While examining the area, Sgt. Jarrett Chandler noticed what appeared to be a trail leading into the woods. After following the trail approximately 15 feet, he located a body believed to be that of Richard Cash.

Personnel from the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Polk County Police Department responded to the scene. Crime scene investigators processed the area while the Polk County Coroner’s Office assisted with the recovery of the remains.

Although authorities had not positively identified the remains at the time, investigators said evidence at the scene and information gathered throughout the investigation strongly indicated the body was that of Cash.

As a result of the investigation, warrants were obtained charging Hill with Murder, Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Concealing the Death of Another, two counts of Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Obstruction of Law Enforcement, Crossing Guard Lines with Weapons, Drugs or Intoxicants, Drugs Not in Original Container and Reckless Driving.

Nelson has been charged with Felony Concealing the Death of Another, two counts of False Statements and two counts of Tampering with Evidence.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

“This has been a very difficult and fast-moving case with many twists and turns,” Sheriff Williams said in a statement. “I am so proud of Cpl. Atkins and the entire CID unit for the tireless and diligent work they have done over the past week. The man hours spent on this case is high, but the fact that we can give Mr. Cash back to his family to mourn and get justice for them is worth it all.”

Williams also thanked the numerous agencies that assisted in the investigation and asked the community to keep Cash’s family in their thoughts and prayers.