Three Arrested, One at Large in Walker County Halloween Murder

Three suspects have been arrested, and one remains at large in connection with the Halloween murder of 25-year-old Dakota Bottomlee.

Just after midnight on November 1, Walker County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a cardiac arrest call at 1964 Johnson Road in Chickamauga. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Bottomlee’s body in the carport with multiple gunshot wounds.

The investigation, conducted in collaboration with the GBI Region One office, led to a search warrant executed on November 6 at 10730 Alabama Highway in Ringgold. Following the search, murder warrants were issued for 21-year-old Kayla Michelle McClure of Ringgold and 21-year-old James Logan Darty of Rossville.

Two days later, on November 8, additional murder warrants were obtained for 18-year-old Marcuse Allen Chambers of Rossville and 23-year-old Brayden Whatley of Rossville.

McClure, Darty, and Chambers were taken into custody and are being held in the Walker County Jail. Brayden Whatley remains at large. Authorities have released his photo and are seeking the public’s assistance in locating him.

The Walker County Sheriff’s Office and GBI extended their gratitude to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee and the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.

This investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about the death of Dakota Bottomlee or about the whereabouts of Brayden Whatley is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Calhoun at 706-624-1424. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.