New Evidence Found In GA Couple's Killing Nearly A Decade Ago: GBI

MCRAE-HELENA, GA — New evidence has been uncovered in the January 2015 deaths of a Cobb County couple in Telfair County, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Monday.

Elrey "Bud" Runion and wife June E. Runion, both in their 60s, went to buy a 1966 Mustang convertible after the former Runion posted a Craigslist ad on Jan. 19, 2015, CBS News reported at the time.

The couple disappeared on the trip and were later found dead with gunshot wounds to the head, the outlet reported.

Suspect Ronnie Jay Towns was arrested in January 2015 in connection with armed robbery and the Runions deaths, the GBI said. Towns was later indicted.

Police previously said Towns lured the Runions to Telfair for cash, according to media reports.

Nine years later, a person who was magnet fishing found a 0.22-caliber rifle April 14 at Old Prison Camp Road in McRae-Helena, the GBI said.

Two days later, the same person found a bag containing drivers’ licenses and credit cards belonging to the Runions, and a cell phone believed to belong to the Runions, the GBI said.

Search warrants were then executed at a Webb Cemetery Road home, one on Wednesday and another on Friday, the GBI said.

"Investigators recovered evidence from both search warrants. The evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for further analysis," the GBI said.

The GBI did not release further details relating to the Runions deaths.

Authorities said a trial for Towns is tentatively set for August.

A Facebook page was started for the late Cobb couple, Remember Bud & June Runion. With 135,000 followers, the social media account shares photos of the Runions and other messages.

"Today marks one year of not having our parents. Although we may grieve for their loss, we continue to walk forward into the new life without them, remembering that 'suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.' (Romans 5:3-5). We are blessed to have your prayers and support," read a Jan. 22, 2016 post.