Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
On Monday, Jan. 6, Hamilton County Sheriff Brian Creech took office. The next day, he made a significant move that had Hamilton County families watching the sheriff’s office closely: the announcement that he would be directing a fresh investigation into cold cases that the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has been investigating. According to HCSO, the agency is looking into six unsolved cases, which consist of both unsolved homicides and missing persons cases. As the agency begins to audit its cold cases, more cases may be located and reopened. For now, the cases the sheriff’s office has will be looked at with a fresh set of eyes. One of Sheriff Creech’s first moves upon taking office was to appoint a cold case investigator to HCSO. Due to the nature of the investigations, the sheriff’s office has chosen to withhold the identity of the investigator. However, he has served decades in law enforcement and retired several years ago. His service to the agency is on a part-time, voluntary basis, but he has still maintained his standards so he can participate in investigations and, if needed, make arrests. The oldest cold case that HCSO has as of right now involves the death of Lowndes County resident Anthony Paul Henry, who was located deceased near Interstate 75 in 2007. The most recent cases that have become cold are the homicides of Donnie Ray Jackson III and Martin Clay. Both instances, unrelated, occurred in Jasper in October of 2024. The following is a list of the cold cases HCSO is currently investigating: Anthony Paul Henry: On Sept. 5, 2007, Anthony Henry was found murdered in a hayfield adjacent to Interstate 75 near State Road 6 in Hamilton County. Henry was reported missing by relatives in Valdosta, Ga., two weeks before he was found, with the last known contact being made on Aug. 14, 2007. Henry had ties to Live Oak, where he was employed at Pilgrim’s. There was evidence of foul play. Jaworski Williams: On Dec. 30, 2017, Jaworski Williams was found dead inside his home in Jasper. He had been the victim of a shooting. Inside the house, there was suspected drug paraphernalia and two projectiles. Authorities at the time said Williams was last seen alive in Live Oak around 2:30 p.m. on the day of the shooting. HCSO and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) are currently offering a combined $50,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest in the case. Carrie April Combs: Carrie Combs has been missing since March 28, 2019. She was last seen in an area near County Road 51 in Jasper. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket, white T-shirt, and gray pants. Combs has a flower tattoo on her right shoulder and a scorpion tattoo on her left ankle. Donnie Ray Jackson III: On Oct. 8, 2023, Donnie Ray Jackson III was killed near the intersection of Northwest 12th Avenue and Northwest MLK Street in Jasper. Limited information was available on this case. However, investigators are asking the public to come forward if they have information regarding Jackson’s death. Martin Clay: On Oct. 27, 2023, Martin Clay was killed at the corner of Northwest 6th Avenue and US Highway 41 in Jasper. HCSO has also withheld any further information regarding this case but is also asking the public to come forward if they have any information. Individuals with information surrounding the deaths of these individuals or the disappearance of Combs are encouraged to contact HCSO at (386) 7921001. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, contact Crime Stoppers of Hamilton County at (386) 792-8477.