Updated: Neighbor of slain East Floyd couple now charged with two counts of murder
Emerson Mack Abbott Jr. has been charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of James and Myra Reeves, the east Floyd County couple found shot Jan. 23 at their home at 49 Terhune Road, according to Floyd County Police.
The investigation was conducted by the police department’s criminal investigation division as well as the GBI and the intelligence unit of the GBI, according to a media release.
Abbott was arrested without incident. No further details were provided in the Tuesday night media release on the case.
What’s new this morning: Abbott’s arrest information from the jail shows he was arrested at 7635 Blacks Bluff Road in Cave Spring on Tuesday.The charges indicate a gun was used. No bond will be set at this time.
On Monday, several Floyd County Police cars as well as a unit from the GBI were spotted near the murder scene by neighbors. Hometown Headlines was told at the time that the crew was processing additional evidence.
Previously:
On Feb. 11, Abbott was arrested on multiple charges but none involving their deaths.
According to an earlier Floyd County Police statement: “Emerson Mack Abbott Jr. was arrested and charged with Theft by Deception, Theft by Conversion and Making False Statements and Writings. This arrest follows an investigation into a check purportedly written by Myra Reeves to Mr. Abbott. At this time this investigation is considered as a dual investigation to the murder of James and Myra Reeves. Due to the importance and the complexity of this investigation no other information can be released at this time.”
Also about the Abbott charges: Floyd County arrest warrants stated that Emerson Mack Abbott Jr., 27, was charged with theft by deception in a case involving his neighbor, Myra Reeves, the day of her murder. According to the affidavit for his arrest: “The accused . . . did commit the offense of theft by deception when by deceitful means he obtained $7,500 for labor and equipment from Myra Reeves after she contracted him to conduct tree work at her residence and he failed to conduct the work and never had any intention to do so.” The affidavit said the offense occurred on Jan. 23 (it lists the wrong year; 2014). Reeves, 71, and her husband, James, 69, were found shot to death by a neighbor the afternoon of Jan. 23 in their home at 49 Terhune Drive in eastern Floyd County.
The Reeves’ bodies were found on a Friday afternoon by a neighbor. The investigation has been labeled a double homicide and remains open with no suspects in custody.
A check of jail records following Abbott’s initial arrest found the following information:
- He was booked into the county jail on Wednesday to face three counts.
- Theft by deception (the Reeves’ charge)
- False statements or writings; conceal facts or fraudulent documents of government.
- Theft by conversion.
Last Sunday, a memorial service was held for the Reeves at Fairmount First Baptist Church at 186 Peachtree St. in the eastern Gordon County community. This notice was provided by Thomas Funeral Home of Calhoun: “A memorial service to celebrate the lives of James Steven “Jimmy” Reeves and Myra Wilson Reeves will be conducted on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. at the Fairmount First Baptist Church with the Reverend Rick Langston officiating.”
