A suspect in a 2001 Lumpkin County homicide has now been identified through DNA matching.
The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) announced on Thursday that the death of Herman Wilder now has closure for the family.
“I was able to meet with some of the family members earlier today at the District Attorney’s office to present everything to them to give them closure,” LCSO Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said.
The suspect, who died in 2020, is now identified as Carroll Dean Burrell of Rabun County.
“We do not have someone that we can arrest, but we do have closure with a positive match,” Jarrard said.
The incident occurred on May 25, 2001 at Golden Hills Apartment in Dahlonega. On the night of the incident, deputies responded to the scene and located Wilder outside of his apartment suffering from severe injuries.
Evidence collected included a wooden stake believed to be the murder weapon and a blue baseball cap. A suspect was identified but was alter dismissed, and the DNA at the scene did not match any known offender.
In 2023, investigators reopened the case and submitted the retained DNA evidence for new evaluations and processing. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and other local agencies assisted, and investigators obtained voluntary DNA samples from leads.
Burrell was identified as the source of the DNA found on the wooden stake. He was 41-years-old at the time of the crime and reportedly had a documented history of mental health issues and “was known to have exhibited delusional and violent behavior.”
“This case represents over two decades of determination and teamwork,” Jarrard said. “Through modern forensic science and the dedication of our investigators, we have finally identified the person responsible and can provide closure to the Wilder family.”
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