Joel Jared Butler has been arrested in Twiggs County after a car chase that began in Bleckley County. He was wanted for arson and malice murder.

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 4:47 p.m., the GBI was requested to assist with an arson and homicide investigation and preliminary information revealed that Butler, age 31, of Eastman, had killed William Harrell, age 49, of Eastman and then set the house on fire. The fire call was dispatched at 3:12 p.m. on March 15, 2023. 

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Butler for one count of murder.  Butler was also wanted for an aggravated assault investigation which occurred on March 14, 2022, in Dodge County which is unrelated to this investigation   and not being investigated by the GBI.  

. Additional charges against Butler are expected.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call 478-374-6988 or Dodge County non-emergency 478-374-1691. Anonymous tips can 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.