GBI Announces Arrest In 1998 Stabbing Murder Of Young Coffee County Mother: 47 Year Old Man Charged With Murder, Multiple Felonies As A Result Of Forensic Breakthrough

A 28-year-old cold case that has haunted a small Georgia family and community has finally seen a dramatic breakthrough. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced Friday that a suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with the brutal 1998 slaying of 20-year-old Christy Dawn Myers.

Authorities took James Lawrence III, 47, into custody on Thursday, October 1. He faces charges of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault. The arrest follows nearly three decades of relentless investigation and recent advancements in forensic technology.

A Late-Night Tragedy

The mystery began on the evening of September 14, 1998. Myers, a young mother living in Broxton with her family, left her home to visit a local convenience store. After socializing with acquaintances, she left the store alone in her vehicle.

Just after midnight on September 15, residents living along the Broxton-Fitzgerald Highway reported hearing a brief conversation outside, followed by the sound of a vehicle accelerating away. Upon checking outside, a neighbor made a horrific discovery: Myers’ body was lying next to her vehicle. She had been stabbed multiple times.

Despite an intense initial investigation by local and state authorities, the trail grew cold, leaving Myers’ family without justice for years.

But the family did not give up hope as they waited for answers and justice as they worked to keep her memory alive.

At Friday’s news conference, GBI Special Agent in Charge Jessica Hamilton said Myers was more than a name in an investigative file.

“She was a loving young mother, a daughter, a sister and a member of this community,” Hamilton said.

“She Was a Fighter” Who Loved Singing, Nina Simone

For 28 years, the family also refused to let the community forget: The family has been holding a candlelight vigil every September since Myers’ death.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Myers’ daughter, Chelsea, shared poignant memories of the mother she barely got to know.

“She was known and loved for her bubbly and friendly personality,” Chelsea said, noting that her mother loved to sing, and was an avid fan of the late singer Nina Simone. “She was always excited to meet new people. She hardly met a stranger.”

“I don’t want my mom to be remembered as only a victim,” Wolfe said. “She was so much more than that.”

“My mom was resilient, and she was a fighter,” Wolfe said. “She deserved to live her life and watch her family grow.”

The family expressed immense relief following news of the arrest, stating that a significant weight has finally been lifted off their shoulders. However, they emphasized that Myers’ legacy should not be defined strictly by how her life ended and that she deserved to live to see her family grow.

How to Help:

The GBI has stated that the investigation into Christy Dawn Myers remains open.

Authorities urge anyone with information regarding James Lawrence III or the night of the murder to contact the GBI Douglas Office at 912-389-4103.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at the GBI Tip Portal, or via the “See Something, Send Something” mobile application.