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Waycross Today
By the People, for the People
Decades-Old Rape and Murder Case Solved in South Georgia
Freddie Lee Granger Jr. arrested and charged in 1984 killing of Sandra Kaye Davis
Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:40pm
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After more than four decades, authorities in Ware County, Georgia have made an arrest in the 1984 rape and murder of 22-year-old Sandra Kaye Davis. Freddie Lee Granger Jr., 68, was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with rape, aggravated assault, malice murder, and two counts of felony murder. DNA evidence ultimately linked Granger to the crime, which had gone unsolved for over 40 years.
Why it matters
This arrest provides long-awaited closure and justice for the victim's family, who have waited decades for answers. It also highlights the persistence and dedication of law enforcement in pursuing cold cases, even those that are decades old. The case underscores the importance of advancements in forensic science and DNA technology in helping to solve historic crimes.
The details
On September 1, 1984, Sandra Kaye Davis was found dead next to a home in Waycross, Georgia, showing signs of strangulation. The case went unsolved for over four decades until the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Cold Case Unit was able to link Freddie Lee Granger Jr. to the crime through DNA evidence. Granger, a 68-year-old resident of Ware County, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with rape, aggravated assault, malice murder, and two counts of felony murder.
- The murder of Sandra Kaye Davis occurred on September 1, 1984 in Waycross, Georgia.
- Freddie Lee Granger Jr. was arrested on Tuesday, April 1, 2026 and charged in the 1984 crime.
The players
Sandra Kaye Davis
A 22-year-old woman who was the victim of a rape and murder in Waycross, Georgia in 1984.
Freddie Lee Granger Jr.
A 68-year-old resident of Ware County, Georgia who was arrested and charged with the 1984 rape and murder of Sandra Kaye Davis.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
The state law enforcement agency that solved the decades-old cold case through its Cold Case Unit.
Waycross Police Department
The local law enforcement agency that initially investigated the 1984 murder of Sandra Kaye Davis.
Ware County Sheriff's Office
The local law enforcement agency that assisted in the investigation and arrest of Freddie Lee Granger Jr.
What they’re saying
“Thanks to the dedication of the team at @GBI_GA, more victims and families like Sandra's are receiving the justice they deserve.”
— Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia
What’s next
Freddie Lee Granger Jr. is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks for a bond hearing as the case proceeds through the judicial system.
The takeaway
This arrest demonstrates the power of modern forensic science and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice, even for crimes committed decades in the past. It provides a sense of closure for the victim's family and underscores the importance of never giving up on unsolved cases.
