A suspect has been identified and charged with capital murder in the death of a Lowndes County woman whose body was discovered in a burned down mobile home Monday morning.
Traveil Raymond Hicks, 17, of 377 Downs Road, was arrested Friday by investigators with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department. He was charged with capital murder and arson.
Hicks allegedly murdered his neighbor, 46-year-old Gwen Roberson, in the early morning hours Monday. Investigators allege he then set her mobile home on fire to conceal the crime.
According to neighbors, Hicks lives with his grandmother. The front door of the home they share is approximately 50 yards from where Roberson’s charred home sits.
Investigators are not releasing a motive in the crime.
They are also declining to release Roberson’s cause of death. Roberson’s aunt Nancy Cunningham told The Dispatch investigators said Roberson was stabbed to death.
Capital murder convictions are eligible for the death penalty. Hicks, during his initial court appearance Monday, was denied bond.
If indicted by a grand jury, Hicks will be tried as an adult, according to Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge.
Hicks remains in the custody of the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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