Ga. husband arrested in 1999 murder, dismemberment of wife

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – It took 25 years to find closure, but Melissa Wolfenbarger’s family never gave up along the way.

Her husband, Christopher Wolfenbarger, is now behind bars, charged with murder in connection to the death of the 21-year-old.

“It’s been a long wait. Twenty-five years, but finally, hopefully we will get justice for Melissa. She didn’t deserve what she got,” said Tina Patton, the murdered woman’s sister. “And I hope anybody who is in a domestic violence situation, please get out.”

Police announced Christopher Wolfenbarger’s Tuesday arrest at an early Wednesday afternoon news conference.

Police said he was taken into custody at his home in Griffin while hiding behind a dryer.

Melissa Wolfenberger’s dismembered remains were found in black trash bags tossed on the side of the road in 1999, although they wouldn’t be identified as hers until 2003.

“We have finally made it and he’s in custody,” Norma Patton, the woman’s mother, said at the Wednesday press conference. “My last words to her were, ‘I love you, and you know where I am if you need me.’”

Atlanta police did not disclose many details or say what the motive was, but they said they believed it was related to domestic violence.

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