In a quiet suburb of Lagrange, Georgia, a tragedy unfolded in late January 2015, forever altering the lives of a local family. Christie Lee, a 33-year-old woman known for her cheerful and nurturing personality, was found deceased in her home on Woodstream Trail. A former correctional officer at the Troup County Correctional Institution, Christie was remembered as someone who made everyone feel loved and who cherished spending time with her ever-growing family.
The grim discovery was made on the evening of January 31st, after a concerned employer reported that one of the residents, Christie's father, had uncharacteristically missed several days of work. When Troup County Sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check, they found the bodies of five individuals inside the home. Alongside Christie Lee, the victims were identified as her 16-year-old daughter, Bailey Burtron; her parents, 69-year-old William and 68-year-old Sheila Burtron; and an 18-year-old family friend, Iiaonna Green, who had been living with them.
Investigators determined that at least four of the victims, including Christie, had been shot, while Bailey Burtron had been asphyxiated. The investigation quickly focused on Christie's husband, 26-year-old Thomas Jesse Lee, who also resided at the home but was absent when the bodies were discovered. He was declared a person of interest and a search was initiated.
A few days later, Thomas Lee was apprehended at a bus station in Tupelo, Mississippi. A pastor had unknowingly assisted him in purchasing a bus ticket to Opelika, Alabama, after Lee claimed to be having car trouble. The pastor later recognized Lee from news reports and contacted the authorities, leading to his arrest without incident. Lee was extradited back to Georgia to face charges.
In May 2015, a Troup County grand jury indicted Thomas Lee on 11 felony charges, including five counts of malice murder. He initially faced the possibility of the death penalty. However, in August 2015, Lee reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the killings and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Investigators believe a financial motive and increasing tensions within the household may have contributed to the tragic events. Lee told investigators he had intended to take his own life but blacked out and could not recall the subsequent events after being interrupted by his stepdaughter.
