Two months after Georgia investigators discovered human remains in the woods during the search for a missing 18-year-old, his brother has been arrested and charged with murder.
The remains located in the wooded area in Albany on July 6 were positively identified as the teen, Samuel Jackson, on Wednesday, September 9, the Dougherty County Police Department announced in a news release shared that day.
Jackson disappeared 10 days earlier after he was last seen in the west Albany area the evening of June 26, according to police.
His older brother, Jamal Jackson, has since been taken in custody in connection with Samuel’s death, police said. Details regarding his bond status are not available in online records viewed by Us.
In addition to murder, Jamal is charged with concealing the death of another and disposal of a human body, according to authorities.
Police did not specify how Samuel was killed or a potential motive for the alleged murder.
“The investigation remains active and ongoing,” police said.
When Samuel’s remains were first located on July 6, authorities were unable to positively identify his body, according to authorities.
As a result, police said “they were submitted for forensic examination and positive identification.”
Jamal remained in police custody as of Wednesday.
“Investigators are continuing to question him as they gather additional information about the circumstances surrounding Samuel Jackson’s death,” police said.
Three days before the discovery of Samuel’s body, police called on the public for help amid the search for the teen in a July 3 Facebook post.
He disappeared after leaving his home on June 26, WALB reported.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is also investigating Samuel’s death, according to the TV station.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Jamal had retained legal representation or entered a plea as of Thursday, September 10.
“Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact the Dougherty County Police Department at 229-430-6600,” authorities said.
Dougherty County is about a 190-mile drive south from Atlanta.
