William Franklin Burtron, a 69-year-old male, was found deceased in his LaGrange, Georgia, home in a tragedy that claimed the lives of four other family members. The discovery was made on the night of Saturday, January 31, 2015, after a concerned employer reported that William Burtron had uncharacteristically missed several days of work. Upon forcing entry into the residence, Troup County sheriff's deputies found a grim scene, with victims located in various rooms throughout the house.
The investigation quickly revealed that Burtron, along with his wife, 68-year-old Sheila Burtron, their 33-year-old daughter Christie Lee, their 16-year-old granddaughter Bailey Burtron, and 18-year-old family friend Iiaonna Green, had all been victims of a horrific act of violence. At least four of the five individuals had been fatally shot, and it was believed they had been deceased for a few days before being found. The incident shocked the quiet suburban community.
The focus of the investigation soon turned to Thomas Jesse Lee, the 26-year-old husband of Christie Lee. Initially named as a person of interest, authorities escalated his status to a suspect in the murders. A search for Lee was launched, with law enforcement indicating he might be driving an olive green Mazda Tribute. The search came to an end when Lee was apprehended at a bus station in Tupelo, Mississippi. His arrest came after a pastor, who had assisted him with bus fare after Lee claimed to have car trouble, recognized him from news reports and contacted the police.
Following his capture, Thomas J. Lee was charged with five counts of malice murder in connection with the deaths of his wife and her family. The motive for the killings was not immediately made public, and authorities noted no prior reports of domestic issues at the residence. The community was left to mourn the loss of five lives, including William Burtron, a U.S. Navy veteran who had retired after 20 years of service and was employed as a technician at a Wal-Mart Distribution Center.
