The victim in last week’s murder in Banks County has been identified. According to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Crime Lab has positively identified the woman as 48-year old Sonya Gale Phelps of Homer.
Phelps was found dead in her home at 1151 McDonald Circle last Thursday around 11 a.m. An autopsy revealed she died of ligature strangulation and blunt force head injury.
Authorities say Phelps allegedly was the girlfriend of the accused, Billy Charles Lewallen. Both lived at the McDonald Circle address. A press release issued by Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed says there are no previous documented reports of domestic violence between Phelps and Lewallen in Banks County.
Speed called in the GBI to investigate after Phelps’ body was discovered during a wellness check at the home on July 2nd. Authorities say it appears her body had been in the house for several days.
Lewallen is charged with malice murder and concealing a dead body.
