Man charged with strangling wife on her birthday

By Joe Johnson

Travis Blake Hill, 36, of Lone Star Road, was arrested early the morning of October 26th after he beat and strangled his wife on her birthday.

According to police, the couple were in downtown Athens celebrating the 31-year old victim’s birthday when she received a phone call from an unknown number and the caller hung up.

Hill began accusing her of infidelity and while being driven home in an Uber he grabbed her by the neck and squeezed until she was about to pass out and felt like she was about to die.

He also punched the in the face several times and they both got out of the Uber upon arriving at their home.

As Hill continued screaming at the victim and accusing her of cheating, a neighbor called the cops.

Hill was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, family violence battery, and possession of a controlled substance because of the ecstasy police found on him.

The victim told police that she’d been married to Hill for years and that she now planned to move back to Tennessee.

One of her eyes was swollen, her lip was busted and there were red marks and scratches on her neck, according to police.

Hill was grated bail on condition he have no contact with the victim and not return to the home on Lone Star Road,

Anyone who is in an abusive relationship can seek advice and support services by calling Project Safe's 24-hour hotline at (706) 543-3331, or by visiting http://www.project-safe.org