An Alabama man convicted of murder in the shotgun death of a Georgia man whose body was found wrapped in a toolbox was sentenced Friday to life in prison.
Eric Kyle Hooper, 31, of Centre, was convicted by a Cherokee County jury in January of murder in the in the shotgun-killing of 40-year-old Georgia resident LaChancey Williams.
Williams’ body was found March 15, 2022, during road maintenance on Esom Hill Road in Polk County, Georgia. The road crew discovered a black truck toolbox that contained a body wrapped in a tarp.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified Williams, who lived in Cedartown, as the victim and said he had been shot twice. Court documents state Williams was killed on March 9.
Investigators determined the murder took place in Cherokee County, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office took lead in the probe.
A fingerprint on the duct tape removed from the tarp around Williams’ body, as well as witness statements, led authorities to identify Hooper as the suspect.
Authorities said the killing was drug related.
On Friday, Cherokee County Circuit Court Judge Shaunathan C. Bell sentenced Hooper to life in prison.
Williams had been a self employed painter for many years.
“He never held anything back but would give you the shirt off of his back,’’ according to his obituary. “He was an avid fan of Alabama football and enjoyed fishing.”
Williams’ body was found March 15, 2022, during road maintenance on Esom Hill Road in Polk County, Georgia. The road crew discovered a black truck toolbox that contained a body wrapped in a tarp.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified Williams, who lived in Cedartown, as the victim and said he had been shot twice. Court documents state Williams was killed on March 9.
Investigators determined the murder took place in Cherokee County, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office took lead in the probe.
A fingerprint on the duct tape removed from the tarp around Williams’ body, as well as witness statements, led authorities to identify Hooper as the suspect.
Authorities said the killing was drug related.
On Friday, Cherokee County Circuit Court Judge Shaunathan C. Bell sentenced Hooper to life in prison.
Williams had been a self employed painter for many years.
“He never held anything back but would give you the shirt off of his back,’’ according to his obituary. “He was an avid fan of Alabama football and enjoyed fishing.”
