Lee County, GA (October 25, 2024) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested and charged a 27-year-old Leesburg man, Collier King, in connection with a homicide that occurred in Lee County. The charges against King include Aggravated Assault, Felony Murder, Malice Murder, and Possession of a Weapon during the commission of a Felony.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office initiated the request for GBI’s assistance after deputies responded to a distress call on October 24, 2024. The call led them to the FairFax Motel in Leesburg, where they discovered the body of 51-year-old Benjamin Musselwhite from Cordele, Georgia. Initial investigations quickly identified King as a primary suspect in the case.
Following the discovery of Musselwhite’s body, agents from the GBI conducted an extensive investigation, which culminated in King’s arrest later that same day. He is currently being held at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Jail as the investigation continues. Authorities have stressed the importance of community involvement in this ongoing case. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Americus at 229-931-2439 or the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 229-759-6012. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
The GBI has confirmed that this investigation remains active, and they are diligently working to gather further evidence and details surrounding the circumstances of the crime. As the community seeks answers and justice for the victim, local law enforcement encourages anyone with relevant information to come forward. This incident marks another tragic event in the community, and the GBI continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could assist in ongoing investigations.