Two Charged, Third Suspect Wanted in Tifton Homicide and Burning Vehicle Case

TIFTON, Ga. – Two people have been charged and a third suspect is being sought in connection with the July killing of a Tifton man whose body was discovered inside a burning vehicle, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The GBI announced on Thursday, August 6th, that 41-year-old Robert Louis Brown and 25-year-old Aiyah Foster, both of Tifton, have been charged in the death of 36-year-old Josh Gillis.

Investigators have also obtained arrest warrants for 33-year-old Derrick Lamar Britt Jr. of Tifton, who remains at large.

According to the GBI, Tift County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded on July 24 to the intersection of Arnold Road and Branch Road after receiving a report of a vehicle on fire.

When deputies arrived, they discovered Gillis dead inside the vehicle with apparent gunshot wounds.

An autopsy conducted by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled Gillis’ death a homicide.

Brown has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, second-degree arson, aggravated assault, improper disposal of human remains, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and tampering with evidence.

Foster is charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, tampering with evidence, improper disposal of human remains and second-degree arson.

Brown was already being held in the Tift County Jail on unrelated charges when the murder charges were filed.

Foster was arrested Aug. 6 and booked into the Tift County Jail.

Authorities are continuing to search for Britt, who faces the same charges as Brown, including malice murder, felony murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, second-degree arson, aggravated assault, improper disposal of human remains, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and tampering with evidence.

The investigation remains ongoing. If you have any information about this case, please contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080 or the Tift County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 388-6020.