Augusta, GA
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man has been arrested after he was accused of hitting two women at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta.
The incident happened on May 14 around 12 a.m.
According to arrest warrants, Bruce Bland struck one victim with a closed hand several times in the face. Bland also threw a garbage can at the victim, hitting her in the head.
The warrant states the victim suffered a bruise on her face.
Bland also hit another victim with a closed hand on her mouth, according to the warrants. She suffered swelling and a bruise on her mouth.
Bland is charged with battery and simple battery, according to the warrants. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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