In early 2018, the life of a 31-year-old Black / African American man, Montez Watson, was tragically cut short in Walton County, Georgia. On February 7, 2018, while at his girlfriend's home, Watson was fatally shot in the chest and the back of the head. The grim events that unfolded next would remain a secret for months, as Watson was initially considered a missing person.
His disappearance prompted an investigation that would eventually uncover a story of murder and a calculated cover-up.
The investigation into Watson's whereabouts led law enforcement to a home on Fleeman Road in the neighboring Barrow County. In May 2018, three months after he was last seen, investigators made a gruesome discovery. They found human remains buried in the backyard of the residence. The body was later identified as that of Montez Watson. The property where Watson's body was found was rented by Michael Brent Huff and his wife, Jennifer Louise Huff. The investigation revealed that Watson's girlfriend was the daughter of Michael Brent Huff.
Following the discovery of Watson's body, authorities sought Michael Brent Huff and Jennifer Louise Huff for their alleged involvement. Jennifer Huff was arrested in North Carolina, and Michael Brent Huff eventually turned himself in. The investigation determined that after the shooting, the bathroom where the killing occurred was cleaned to hide evidence. Michael Brent Huff, with the help of an accomplice named Mark Campbell, then transported Watson's body to his home in Barrow County and buried him near a shed.
In September 2022, Michael Brent Huff was convicted of a slew of charges, including felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, tampering with evidence, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Jennifer Louise Huff and Mark Campbell also faced charges in Barrow County related to concealing the death and tampering with evidence. The successful prosecution was a result of the collaborative efforts of the Walton County Sheriff's Office, the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, bringing a measure of justice and closure to the family of Montez Watson.
