The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office began investigating when a missing person report was filed by the mother of Hannah Bender. Her mother said the last time she spoke with Hannah was Sept. 14 over text message, and reported her daughter missing five days later, the AJC reported. Shortly after receiving the phone call about a missing person, bloody clothing was located.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a body was found in Cumming in September. That of Hannah Bender, 21, was found buried in a shallow grave off Parks Road near Ga. 306, the AJC reported. Officials were tipped off to the location.
In December, the murder case of Hannah Bender, 21, was presented to a Dawson County Grand Jury. The grand jury returned a true bill indictment against Austin Stryker, 22 of Dawsonville; Isaac Huff, 18, of Dawsonville; Dylan Reid, 19, of Dawsonville; and Jerry Harper, 78, of Cumming, for their involvement in the murder.
Stryker was indicted for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, concealing the death of another and tampering with evidence.
Huff was indicted for felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, concealing the death of another and violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act.
Reid was indicted for felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, concealing the death of another, tampering with evidence, and violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act.
Harper was indicted for violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal and theft by receiving stolen property. Harper has been charged in Forsyth County for concealing the death of another and tampering with evidence.
Huff, Reid and Harper are currently in custody in the Dawson County Detention Center and Stryker is in custody in the Lumpkin County Detention Center. This case is being prosecuted by the Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.