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Four arrests so far in murder investigation of Lumpkin County woman
murder
Jerry Harper, Elizabeth Donaldson, Dylan Reid and Isaac Huff have been arrested in Dawson County in connection to the murder of 21-year-old Hannah Bender. Bender's body was found in Forsyth County on Sept. 25.

Four arrests have now been made in the multi-county murder investigation of a Lumpkin County woman who was found dead last week.

Authorities say that Isaac Huff, 18, and Dylan Reid, 19, both of Dawson County, were arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Monday shortly after midnight in Dawson County in connection to the murder of 21-year-old Hannah Bender. Huff and Reid are the cases most recent arrests and both men are currently being held in the Dawson County Detention Center.

Huff has been charged with one felony count for concealing death. Huff is accused of concealing the death of Hannah Bender, when he hindered the discovery of her body by allowing another to keep Bender’s body on his property. 

Reid has been charged with felony counts of tampering with evidence and concealing death. He is accused of knowingly concealing evidence connected to Bender's murder, concealing Bender's death and hindering the discovery of her body.

Austin Todd Stryker
Austin Todd Stryker
Previously two other individuals considered "persons of interests" in the case, Jerry Harper and Elizabeth Donaldson, were arrested last week. Donaldson is reportedly the wife of the case's prime suspect, Austin Todd Stryker, who is still on the run from authorities.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard confirmed on Sept. 27 that Harper was apprehended by Dawson County deputies Friday afternoon.

According to Jarrard, 78 year-old Harper was arrested in Dawson County after a motorist spotted a white Ford Explorer matching the description of the BOLO issued by the GBI.

Dawson County deputies conducted a traffic stop and took Harper into custody.

The GBI stated on Thursday, Sept. 26 that the agency had taken warrants out for Harper for “concealment of a dead body” and “tampering with evidence” in Forsyth County. But according to arrest reports, he is currently being held on charges of theft by receiving stolen property and driving while license suspended or revoked.

Donaldson, 21, was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence and is being held in the Dawson County Detention Center.

Authorities say that Bender was reported missing in Lumpkin County by her mother on Sept. 19 and shortly after bloody clothing was found in nearby Dawson County.

During a press conference in Lumpkin County on Sept. 25, Jarrard confirmed remains believed to be Bender’s were recovered from a shallow grave in north Forsyth County.

A full identification will be made by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation autopsy.

It is believed that Bender was killed at a campsite in Lumpkin County, according to Jarrard.

Following Bender’s disappearance, the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office issued murder warrants for Stryker. 

On Thursday, Sept. 26, the U.S. Marshals Service announced that it would be offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to Stryker’s capture.

He is considered armed and dangerous, according to authorities.

Anyone with information in this case has been asked to contact the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office by calling 706-974-6824.

Forsyth County News reporter Alex Popp contributed to this report.

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