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Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Macon police seeking clue that could crack Sheftall case a year after slaying

Alice M. Bailey remembers well the night her beloved friend died.

To her, Waldo Sheftall was more like a younger sibling. He took her out to eat often, especially for her birthday, Valentine's Day and other special occasions.

Sheftall even called her each night as she got ready to turn in. But the phone didn't ring a year ago on the night of Oct. 10. She remembers wondering whom he was talking to instead.

Sheftall, 54, was found dead at his home about 11:30 p.m. that night with gunshot wounds to the head and back. A tenant summoned police to the scene.

He reported being locked out of the apartment he occupied on Washington Avenue above Sheftall's street-level apartment. The lock was one that Sheftall typically left unlocked, but on Oct. 10 it was bolted shut.

In the year since the slaying, Macon police pieced together a timeline of Sheftall's whereabouts the day of his death, and they have interviewed friends and family members.

But it's still a mystery who killed the well-known insurance broker and downtown redeveloper.

Police Capt. Jimmy Barbee said officers have no persons of interest. Although there's a $10,000 reward for information about Sheftall's death, Macon Regional CrimeStoppers hasn't gotten any calls about the case in months.

Sgt. Zac Self said Crimestoppers did receive one call soon after Sheftall's body was found, but it didn't crack the case.

Police still believe robbery was the motive behind the killing because money was taken.

"If it wasn't robbery, robbery was the outcome," Barbee said.

Police said they found no sign of forced entry at Sheftall's home.

In building a timeline of Sheftall's last hours, officers know he ate at Church's Chicken on Pio Nono Avenue, and he tried to help someone buy a part for a car.

Jimmy Hartley, the former Macon-Bibb County fire chief, saw Sheftall about lunchtime that day. It's the afternoon and evening hours that Sheftall's time is unaccounted for.

But the case isn't in danger of becoming cold in the near future, Barbee said. Police have physical evidence in the case that has been sent to the GBI crime lab for analysis. Although Barbee would not talk about that evidence, he said it could provide new clues.

Investigators are still following up on leads and trying to contact people who knew Sheftall.

Sgt. Shermaine Jones said he wants to talk with Sheftall's friends, associates and former employees.

People who knew Sheftall might have tidbits of information that might seem insignificant, but they could be useful, Jones said.

"It might mean the world to my investigation," he said.

In the year following Sheftall's death, Bailey said she has kept voice-mail messages from him on her phone, just to hear his voice.

She said she thinks of him often. She remembers his compassion and his laughter.

He comes to mind every time Bailey tries a new recipe or cooks a special meal because of his culinary abilities.

Each time she drives by a renovated property in downtown Macon, she realizes she can't call Sheftall to find out what's going on.

At a time when much public discussion involves crime and gang activity in Macon, Bailey said she sees the void left by Sheftall's death.

"He would be looking for a solution," she said. Sheftall would be riding through Macon's neighborhoods with police and talking with residents.

She said it hurts not to know who was behind the killing.

"I have a real physical pain that nothing has come to fruition with the investigation," she said.

Bailey didn't want to speculate on motives or other aspects of Sheftall's slaying, but she said she believes his killer was someone he knew and someone who disliked or envied him.

"It doesn't bring him back, but I think (the person responsible) should have to stand before a court and hear about the wonderful person they destroyed," she said.

Information from The Telegraph archives was included in this report. To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.