An Athens man has been arrested for murder. According to a release from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office, 47-year-old Kevin Maurice Jones was arrested for the 2016 murder of 63-year-old James Mitchell. Mitchell was reported missing in 2016.
On September 24, 2025, detectives, along with the ACCPD Gang Unit and the Drug Task Force, arrested Jones without incident. He is facing charges including murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and concealing the death of a person. Detectives continue to investigate and search for the remains of James Mitchell who was last seen in the area of Clarke Gardens on August 15, 2016.
“This arrest is the result of tireless work by our detectives, in close partnership with our District Attorney’s Office, who were committed to finding the truth and seeking justice for James Mitchell’s family, no matter how long it took,” said Jerry Saulters, ACCPD Chief of Police.
Kalki Yalamanchili, District Attorney for the Western Judicial Circuit added, "We appreciate the Athens-Clarke County Police Department's tireless commitment to seeking justice for James Mitchell and his surviving loved ones. We will continue to work closely with ACCPD to hold Mr. Jones accountable for his actions. The passage of time will not lessen our resolve to work together to deliver justice for victims and their loved ones in our community.”
If anyone has information regarding the homicide of James Mitchell, or the location of his remains, they are urged to contact Detective Paul Johnson at 762-400-7060, or Paul.Johnson@accgov.com.
Individuals wishing to remain anonymous can contact the Police Department tip line at 706-705-4775. A Crime Stoppers reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information pertaining to this investigation.
