An arrest has been made in connection with a 14-year-old Georgia murder case.
WSB-TV2 reported that Scotty Elliot Smith was arrested on Friday and charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm, concealing the death of another, and tampering with evidence, after he allegedly confessed to the murder of Blake Chappell.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, according to the Newnan Police Department, 17-year-old Chappell vanished on October 16, 2011.
He was found murdered two months later.
Chappell disappeared after he attended a homecoming dance at East Coweta High School. He was seen that night walking in the Summergrove subdivision in Newnan.
Police found his body on December 18, 2011. An autopsy confirmed he was shot in the head. Investigators said Chappell was found face-down in a neighborhood creek, wearing only his underwear.
Smith had not been investigated in Chappell’s death previously. Smith recently became a person of interest, and detectives are able to link him to the crime, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
“This arrest is the result of countless hours of dedication by the Newnan Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, as well as the direct, professional assistance of the Coweta County DA’s Investigators,” the department said in a statement.
“We thank the community for the continued support and cooperation throughout this lengthy process. The commitment of our partners and the community’s trust has been vital in the pursuit of justice.”
This is still an open investigation, and investigators encourage anyone with additional information to contact Det. Marcos Gonzalez or Lt. Chris Robinson at (770) 254-2355.
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[Feature Photo: Blake Chappell/Family Handout]
