By Joe Johnson
The Winder Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Monday they were searching for 54-year-old Winder resident Miguel Martinez in connection with the death of his roommate, 69-year-old David Wolfe.
Authorities reportedly believe that Martinez might have killed Wolfe and stole the victim's vehicle as early as May 3 or 4. Martinez is charged in warrants with felony murder, aggravated assault, and theft by taking a motor vehicle, the GBI said.
The statewide law enforcement agency did not become involved in Wolfe's death investigation until Monday, when asked to assist by Winder police.
"The preliminary information indicates that a landlord entered a property on East Broad Street in Winder to do a welfare check and discovered the tenant, David Wolfe, deceased inside the home.," the GBI said. "Officers responded to the residence and determined that Wolfe and his roommate, Martinez, had not been seen in several days and Wolfe’s vehicle was missing. The missing vehicle was found in another part of the county, but Martinez has not been located. Wolfe's body was transported to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy.
Martinez is described by police as being five feet, five inches tall, and weighing about 190 pounds pounds, with black hair, and brown eyes. He has known connectiThe ons to Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties.
The investigation was said to be is active and ongoing.
Authorities asked for anyone with information about Wolfe's death to contact the Winder Police Department at (770) 867-2156 or the GBI's Athens Field Office at (706) 552-2309. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.