Man Accused of Cobb Cold Case Killing Dies in Jail

The Florida man who police believe was responsible for a 1991 murder in Acworth killed himself at the Cobb County jail on Friday, sheriff’s deputies said.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, George Gengarelly was found dead in his cell at approximately 4 a.m. Friday. He had been behind bars at the facility since April 12, the news outlet reported.

Gengarelly, of Hernando, FL, was charged with murder, aggravated assault, aggravated sodomy, rape, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the death of Yvonne Weems in 1991.

On Jan. 12, 1991, the partially-clothed body of Yvonne Weems was found in a recreation area off of Lake Acworth Drive. Initial investigation showed she had been shot to death and most likely sexually assaulted. Although biologic samples were taken, no suspects were ever arrested and the case went cold.

Fortunately, technology caught up with Weems’ alleged killer. The DNA of the suspect was entered into a database, and recently Cobb police received a match to the DNA: Gengarelly. He was taken into custody in Florida in mid-March.