An Alabama man has been arrested in connection with the brutal stabbing death of a Georgia woman 24 years ago, marking a significant breakthrough in a long-unsolved cold case, authorities announced Friday.
Arrest Made After Decades-Long Investigation
Clerence George, 63, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals at his home in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 22. George is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail, awaiting extradition to Georgia, where he faces charges of murder and aggravated assault in the 2000 killing of Julie Ann McDonald.
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson revealed during a news conference that McDonald, a 43-year-old pharmacist, had been stabbed multiple times in her LaFayette, Georgia, home. Authorities believe her body had been there for three to four days before it was discovered.
At the time of the crime, several suspects were identified, including George, who was found with McDonald’s checkbook. However, there was insufficient evidence to make an arrest, and the case went cold.
Reopening the Cold Case
Efforts to solve the case continued over the years. In 2015, investigators revisited the evidence and submitted it for further testing, but the results were again inconclusive. The case was reopened once more in 2023, and with the help of new technological advancements and relentless investigative work, authorities were finally able to file formal charges against George.
Sheriff Wilson highlighted the importance of traditional police work, stating that reinterviewing witnesses and persistent door-knocking were crucial in piecing together the case.
Authorities Praise Investigative Efforts
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) worked closely with local authorities on the investigation. GBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Calhoun praised the team’s dedication, saying, “There was some really good work done here and not all of it was scientific. There was some leg work and door-knocking. The GBI never stops working on unsolved cases.”
Sheriff Wilson echoed these sentiments, expressing his commitment to solving cold cases and bringing justice to victims and their families.
Family of the Victim Notified
Many of McDonald’s relatives have since passed away, but authorities were able to notify her surviving niece and nephew of the arrest. Sheriff Wilson noted that while the arrest does not bring joy, it offers the family a sense of closure.
“The biggest gratification I’ve seen in working these cold cases is giving the family some relief knowing that someone has been found guilty in a court of law by their peers and that someone is held accountable for a death that was totally unnecessary,” Wilson said. “There’s some sense of relief that the family can put it behind them and go on.”
