The case: In October of 2005, 50-year-old Leslie Adams was reported missing. A search of her Lilburn apartment at the time led police to believe she had been murdered. Police also discovered that just two days prior to going missing, Adams obtained a temporary protective order against her ex-boyfriend Billy Joe Cook. Cook became the primary and only suspect in the case.
Remains Found: In 2007, Adams’ remains were found in a swampy area near I-85 in Franklin County. Autopsy results confirmed what investigators believed two years prior: Adams’ death was a homicide.
Cold Case: Over the years, the Gwinnett County cold case unit continued monitoring the progress of the investigation and re-opened the case in 2017, ten years after Adams’ remains were found. Working with the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s office, the cold case unit re-examined the evidence and conducted further interviews. On Sept. 28, 2018 a warrant was issued for Billy Joe Cook, now 51. However, Cook’s location was unknown.
Suspect Located: According to police, detectives located Cook on I-75 North in Henry County on Thursday. The Georgia State Patrol and Henry County Police Department conducted a traffic stop and took Cook into custody without incident. He has been transported to Gwinnett County Jail where he is being held without bond and charged with murder.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
