Reward money offered in Warner Robins cold case of WWII veteran

Houston County officials are seeking tips in a 40-year-old cold case involving a World War II veteran found dead outside what is now a WWII museum.

The killing of Edward Hanley is one of the oldest cold cases in Warner Robins, according to investigative records obtained by The Telegraph from the Warner Robins Police Department under the Georgia Open Records Act.

The 67 year old was found dead and “badly beaten” on May 28, 1984, near the old train depot — now the Elberta Depot and World War II Museum — at 99 Armed Forces Boulevard, according to an incident report and a Monday news release from the WRPD.

The homicide was allegedly connected to a robbery, police said.

Hanley lived in housing behind Owen’s Boarding House restaurant, about two blocks away from where he was killed, investigative records and his obituary said.

The Houston County District Attorney’s Office is offering an $8,000 reward for anyone with tips related to Hanley’s death, police said in the news release .

Officers urged anyone with helpful information to call Lt. Justin Clark, the police department’s lead cold case investigator, at 478-302-5380, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

Clark and Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards did not immediately respond to The Telegraph’s requests for further details.

This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 4:42 PM.