COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) – The Columbus Police Department has developed a suspect in the 2023 murder of Billy Haynes on Lawyers Lane. The man accused of his murder is also the man's son.

CPD says on Nov. 19, 2023, around 4:56 p.m., the patrol division responded to Lawyers Lane regarding a welfare check. CPD officers arrived at a residence and found the decomposed body of Haynes in a bedroom.

Deputy Coroner Dustin Harrelson later arrived and pronounced the man dead at 6:34 p.m. CPD says the initial call about the welfare check was for Haynes and an autopsy later revealed that he died from stab/puncture wounds. Haynes' case is classified as a homicide now.

Evidence collected at the scene along with multiple items by CPD officers were sent to the GBI Crime Lab for testing. Following an "extensive" investigation, police say probable cause was established and the police department obtained a warrant for 31-year-old Samuel Haynes for murder.

CPD asks anyone with information regarding this case to contact Sergeant Demetrius Battle at 706-225-4340 or dbattle@columbusga.org. Information can also be sent anonymously through City Protect or by texting VACS plus your message to 274637.