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A look at burial processes after remains go missing in Augusta

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A look at burial processes after remains go missing in Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Kamaron Hickman and Fatima Nettles are still searching for answers as to why Hillcrest Memorial Park can’t find the casket or remains of their six-month-old daughter, Jada.

The couple no longer has ties to Augusta and wanted to exhume Jada’s body to have her closer to them. When the groundskeeper at Hillcrest went to dig, they did not find anything in the ground.

The case is gaining attention across the state and is raising questions about standard protocols for burials.

The process of burying your loved one is overwhelming, to say the least.

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Walker Posey with Posey Funeral Directors has been in the funeral business for more than two decades. His funeral home did not perform Jada Hickman’s service, but he knows a thing or two about the process.

“You get one chance to do this right, you don’t get a second opportunity,” said Posey. “As a profession, there’s definitely a chain of custody to take care of someone’s loved one, whether it’s from the time they pass away in a hospital or their home to the time that they come into our care to the time it takes to the cemetery.”

The process itself is almost like a paper trail.

“There should be checks and balances, both at the funeral home and at the cemetery side,” said Posey.

It’s a step-by-step process that starts immediately when your loved one passes.

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“We take the loved one into our care, and then we meet with the family to discuss arrangements and funeral plans,” said Posey.

Once that step is completed, Posey says that is when the cemetery gets involved.

“They go to the cemetery and most cemeteries require that the family identifies the location of the plot, even if they purchase it before they walk out. They say ‘Yes, this is correct’, they sign an authorization for the grave to be open and then deal with all the cemetery paperwork at that time,” he said.

Posey says, for him, transparency is key.

“Many times whether it’s burial or cremation, just knowing the process itself, what’s going to happen in the timeline can give families a lot of peace of mind,” he said. “And for us, peace of mind is critical to those who are serving.”

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We reached out to Hillcrest Memorial and Dignity Memorial, which owns Hillcrest Memorial Park.

“We respect the privacy of the families we are honored to serve and, as a result, we are unable to discuss this matter with the media. However, we can say that we are working closely with the family,” they said in a statement.



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Augusta, GA

One killed after shooting on Winesap Way in Augusta

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One killed after shooting on Winesap Way in Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One man died Wednesday evening at a hospital after a shooting on Winesap Way, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said deputies located a male victim with a gunshot wound about 7:30 p.m. on the 3400 block of Winesap Way.

The victim was transported to Wellstar Medical Center, where he died, the agency said.

Violent crime investigators and crime scene technicians were on the scene until around 10:30 p.m.

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Our News 12 crew reported a large number of sheriff’s deputies, K-9 units and drones on the scene.

At the home, investigators focused on a damaged vehicle in the yard.

The car, which had damage and debris across it, was photographed by investigators.

The tow truck arrived about 10:20 p.m. to remove the vehicle from the property, but the exact connection between the vehicle and the shooting remains unknown.

The home itself also showed damage to its side wall, according to our News 12 crew.

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Neighbors say this is a quiet neighborhood where the most interesting thing that usually happens is speeding.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the victim’s family by the Richmond County Coroner’s Office.

Coroner Mark Bowen says an autopsy has been scheduled.

Authorities have not released information about possible suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 706-821-1020. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Augusta, GA

Sheriff to hold news conference on deputy’s shooting of suspect

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Sheriff to hold news conference on deputy’s shooting of suspect


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County Sheriff Eugune Brantley is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. Wednesday regarding the officer-involved shooting from Tuesday night.

Deputies say they responded to the 4300 block of Peach Orchard Road just before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday for a domestic dispute.

While on scene, deputies made contact with a man who had a firearm and pointed the weapon at deputies.

Another deputy discharged their service weapon, striking the man at least one time, according to the sheriff’s office.

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The suspect was transported to Wellstar Medical Center for medical treatment.

The Columbia County Regional Use of Force Investigation Team responded to the scene. The team is now investigating the incident.

This is the second officer-involved shooting in Richmond County this year.

On Jan. 30, deputies respond to the 200 block of Telfair Street after 911 calls reported several individuals were involved in a fight. While on scene, deputies shot Joshua Derrelle Mormant, 28, of Augusta, after they were fired upon when arriving to the scene.

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Augusta, GA

Plans move forward for student housing near Augusta University’s Summerville campus

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Plans move forward for student housing near Augusta University’s Summerville campus


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta commissioners voted to approve rezoning for a potential student housing project in the historic Sandhills community, replacing several vacant lots with units for students near Augusta University’s Summerville campus.

The decision has divided community members, with some supporting revitalization efforts while others express concerns about infrastructure and neighborhood character.

Veronica Bogans, who has lived in the Sandhills community for 56 years, supports the project.

“Being revitalized, I think our community is well overdue for that,” Bogans said. “Students coming here from AU, Payne College, we need that. We need that. Those are our future doctors, teachers, lawyers, x-ray technicians. We need that.”

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Darryl Mims, who grew up in Sandhills and lived there for about 25 years, also sees potential benefits.

“It’s a little older community, but I think it put a, get a hill, a fresh start. Everybody love the hill. People on the hill have a lot of pride,” Mims said.

Other residents worry about the proposed housing’s impact on the community. Carolyn Robinson, who moved to Augusta at age four, cited infrastructure issues.

“You have to be very careful when you are traveling and it’s just an issue. The streets are in disrepair. You’ll have more vehicle fumes. Weed is a dead end St. and that’s a problem,” Robinson said.

Some residents said the proposed housing would look out of place, noting the roads are too narrow and citing drug issues in the area that need addressing.

The Sandhills community holds deep roots for longtime residents. Mims described the neighborhood’s past character.

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“Everybody was closed and everybody looked out for each other. The older folks were real kind. You had a bunch of caddies in this neighborhood and they always talked about golf and that was the main thing in this neighborhood. You had to know golf,” Mims said.



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