No. 3 story of 2016: Sam Poss slaying rocks Perry
The Perry Police Department had not worked a homicide since 2008, but that changed soon after the disappearance of Sam Poss in October.
Poss’ parents said there was no chance the 18-year-old would have gone off somewhere without telling them. A friend, Dakota White, reported that Poss had left White’s house to walk home barefoot in the early morning hours of Oct. 15.
But a few days later White, now 18, and Brandon Warren, also 18, where charged with murder. Poss’ body was found in a wooded area near Perry. Police said the two teens strangled, suffocated and/or stabbed Poss to death. The disappearance and slaying rocked the tight-knit community.
During a hearing Thursday, the Houston County district attorney said White and Warren had considered targeting a 12-year-old to kill. The two teens also had a suicide pact, he said.
Top 10 stories of 2016
No. 1: Seven midstate law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty
No. 2: Mercer basketball player slain outside convenience store
No. 3: Sam Poss slaying rocks Perry
No. 4: Macon Charter Academy closes after 1 year
No. 5: ‘Off by a foot’ leads to end of Macon tradition
No. 6: We’re in the grip of drought, and it just won’t rain
No. 7: Macon-Bibb voters pass $280 million SPLOST
No. 8: Road-rage-fueled shooting leaves one dead
No. 9: Tornado causes most damage in Houston since ‘94 flood
No. 10: Largest manufacturing plant in 40 years opens in Macon
This story was originally published December 23, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "No. 3 story of 2016: Sam Poss slaying rocks Perry."