Cold Case Solved: DNA Links Rabun County Man to 2001 Dahlonega Murder

Dahlonega, GA – After more than two decades, the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office has announced that the 2001 homicide of Herman Wilder has been officially solved through DNA evidence. Investigators determined that Carroll Dean Burrell of Rabun County, who is now deceased, was responsible for Wilder’s death on May 25, 2001, at the Golden Hills Apartments in Dahlonega.

On the night of the killing, deputies were called to the apartment complex for a report of a violent assault. When they arrived, they found Wilder outside his apartment suffering from severe injuries. He later died from those injuries. Evidence recovered at the scene included a wooden stake believed to have been used as the murder weapon and a blue baseball cap.

At the time, investigators worked several promising leads and identified a potential suspect. However, that individual was later ruled out, and DNA collected from the scene did not match anyone in the national database, CODIS. For years, the case remained unsolved despite multiple reviews and advances in forensic methods.

In 2023, the Sheriff’s Office reopened the investigation and submitted the preserved evidence for new forensic analysis. Working closely with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other local law enforcement partners, investigators developed new leads and obtained voluntary DNA samples from individuals connected to the case. Those samples ultimately led to a conclusive match identifying Burrell as the source of the DNA found on the murder weapon.

Investigators learned that at the time of the crime, Burrell was 41 years old and had a documented history of mental health issues, including delusional and violent behavior. He has since passed away. Following consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, the case will be exceptionally cleared in accordance with Georgia law.

Sheriff Stacy Jarrard commended the investigative team and the role that modern forensic technology played in resolving the case.

“This case represents over two decades of determination and teamwork,” Sheriff Jarrard said. “Through the persistence of our investigators and the advancements in forensic science, we’ve finally identified the person responsible and can bring a sense of closure to the Wilder family.”

The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office expressed its gratitude to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and all partner agencies whose collaboration helped bring resolution to one of the county’s longest-running unsolved cases.