Authorities from multiple agencies responded to a scene in Cornelia early Thursday morning after human remains were discovered during a homicide investigation, according to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office, Cornelia Police Department and the Habersham County Coroner’s Office assisted the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office after being contacted at 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20. Rockdale County investigators reported that they had determined a body may have been located near the end of Carpenters Cove Lane in Cornelia.
While the investigation is centered around Rockdale County, local personnel from Habersham County assisted with the scene as crime scene investigators worked in the area. The scene was cleared by Habersham County personnel around 3 a.m.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Rob Moore said Rockdale authorities have handled the investigation in its entirety, stating the crime was committed in Rockdale and that a body was allegedly later dumped in Cornelia.
The victim has not yet been identified.
Cornelia Police Chief Jonathon Roberts said his department responded after being notified by the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
“We just had officers respond to assist in any way, which pretty much consisted of traffic control,” Roberts said.
Roberts confirmed the individual in custody is the same murder suspect involved in a police chase that occurred in Stephens County around 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
A report by Georgia State Patrol identifies the driver as Lee Howard Daffin of Conyers.
During that incident, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office said deputies observed a vehicle matching a description traveling on GA 365/Hwy. 17 Alternate. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle driven by Daffin, but Daffin allegedly failed to stop and a pursuit ensued, officials said. GSP then joined in the pursuit at the intersection of Highways 106 and 145. The chase ended when the vehicle stopped on Collier Road near Swift Street south of Toccoa.
According to GSP, Daffin abruptly braked and caused an officer to strike the rear driver-side of his vehicle with the passenger-side front of the patrol car. The impact occurred in the eastbound lane and brought both vehicles to a controlled stop in the roadway.
According to authorities, the occupant exited the vehicle and surrendered to law enforcement. The person was taken into custody and transported to the Stephens County Jail. Rockdale County authorities took custody of the individual Wednesday evening.
Now Habersham has reached out to the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation, for more information.
