Man Charged With Murder, Arson In Five Deaths

Law enforcement officials in Southwest Georgia say five people found dead in a burning house were shot before the fire began. A 25-year-old man is charged in the case.  

Special Agent Jamy Steinberg of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says he was suspicious from the moment he learned of the fire.

“The first question in our mind is, 'how do five adults not get out of a burning house?’ That’s one of the things that piqued our curiosity at the onset of this case,"  Steinberg said at a press conference Friday morning. 

Firefighters found the victims, all in their 20s, in a home just outside Moultrie last Sunday. Jeffrey Alan Peacock is charged with five counts of murder and one count of arson.  

The Moultrie Observer reports Peacock first told deputies he was staying at the home and left to get breakfast. He said the house was in flames when he returned.

Investigators say Peacock set the fire to cover up the shootings, but they haven’t discussed a motive.

Friends of the victims will hold a memorial in Moultrie Friday night.