Former Fort Valley State basketball coach found dead, suspect charged with murder

A rideshare passenger leaving Houston County was charged with the murder of his driver, former Fort Valley State University basketball coach Samuel “Sammy” David Jackson, according to the Atlanta Police Department.

The body of Jackson, who also was coach at Savannah State University, was found Jan. 29 “in a remote wooded area” near 2994 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW in Atlanta, Jimmy Sadler, chief investigator for the Fulton County coroner’s office, said.

Officers found the 60-year-old Byron resident dead “from what appeared to be gunshot wounds,” officers said. Environmental factors made it difficult to determine what time he died, according to Sadler.

The Houston County Sheriff’s Office notified Atlanta police about a possible homicide that day after Jackson’s family reported him missing.

Jackson’s family last heard from him Jan. 26, when he was heading out to drive a rideshare car.

Atlanta police identified Iquane Brown, 30, on Monday as a person of interest “who ordered the rideshare in Houston County,” the news release said. He was arrested a day before the body was found.

Brown was charged with murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, hijacking of a motor vehicle, kidnapping and use of a firearm by a convicted felon, officials say. He was denied bond and held at the Houston County Jail for an unrelated robbery charge out of Warner Robins. Fulton and Cobb counties issued warrants to hold him at the jail, according to an arrest log.

Detectives were investigating the incident as homicide, Atlanta police said. The incident was still under investigation Thursday.

Atlanta police said an incident report was unavailable Thursday. Houston County deputies did not immediately respond to The Telegraph’s request for comment.

In addition to serving as a head coach, Jackson was an assistant coach at Georgia Southern University, Auburn University, Tennessee State University, Alabama A&M University and University of Alabama. He was also a member of the Black Coaches Association.

Jill Jackson, Sammy Jackson’s wife, called for stricter background checks for rideshare passengers.

“No one should have to fear for their safety while doing their job, and it’s time for lawmakers to take action to better protect rideshare drivers,” she said on Facebook.

Jill invited other rideshare drivers to participate in Jackson’s funeral service scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at his former high school gymnasium at Headland High School in Headland, Alabama, according to an obituary and Facebook post.

“We also want to invite all rideshare drivers to participate so that we can pray for your continued safety,” she said. “Your service to our community is deeply appreciated, and we want to cover you in prayer as we honor Sammy.”

Jackson’s former players and fraternity brothers will carry his casket, the obituary said.

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 12:36 PM.