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Habersham County fire | Woman found dead at scene of burning home, man later arrested

The body was found following what the Habersham County Sheriff called 'unknown entrapment' early Saturday morning.

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities have made an arrest after a woman was found dead at the location of a house fire in Habersham County.

According to the Habersham County Sheriff's Office, the fire happened in the 600 block of Yonah Post Road. Sheriff Joey Terrell said that his office along with Habersham County Emergency Services responded to what was described as a fire with "unknown entrapment" at about 6:45 a.m.

When deputies arrived, they discovered the body of 43-year-old Alecia Grace Stover, who was already dead at the scene. An autopsy determined she died from blunt force trauma to the head. Her death was ruled a homicide. 

Along with deputies from the Habersham County Sheriff's Department and crews from the Habersham County Emergency Services, the Georgia Insurance Commissioner's Criminal Investigations Unit and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were also at the scene.

Hours later, a police department from a nearby city put out an alert to the public about a man wanted for murder out of Habersham County. The Baldwin Police Department in Banks County warned the public about a suspect, Jeremy Chastain, who was wanted by both the sheriff's office and the GBI.

Sheriff Terrell later confirmed to 11Alive that he was taken into custody following a traffic stop in connection with the fire. He now faces a count of murder.

Credit: Habersham County Sheriff's Office
Jeremy Chastain

On Sunday morning, the Habersham County Sheriff's Office said that Chastain had been charged with criminal trespass. They said he is a suspect in the death of the woman found at the scene.

Terrell said the GBI and fire marshal's office are currently handling the investigation and will provide further information.  

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