In December 2020, the body of 20-year-old Parrish Pierce was discovered by a golfer in a wooded area near the 17th tee box of the City of Griffin Golf Course. The young man, a resident of Locust Grove, had been deceased for several days and had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The grim discovery launched an investigation that would unravel a story of gang affiliation and betrayal.
Authorities quickly identified 17-year-old Cedravious Wilkerson as the last person seen with Pierce.
Further investigation revealed that both Pierce and Wilkerson were associated with 'Sex Murder Money,' a subset of the Bloods street gang. Evidence presented during legal proceedings showed Wilkerson walking with Pierce just before he pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times. Wilkerson was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the murder.
Following a trial that experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Spalding County jury found Cedravious Wilkerson guilty of a litany of charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. For his crimes, Wilkerson was sentenced to life in prison for the murder, with an additional 35 years to be served consecutively on gun and theft charges. Pierce's mother revealed that her son had been trying to leave the gang just before he was killed by the young man she described as his best friend.
