In January 2015, Ronnie “Jay” Towns, 38, orchestrated the brutal murders of Bud and June Runion, a couple from Cobb County, Georgia. Towns lured the couple, both in their 60s, to Telfair County under the false promise of a 1966 Ford Mustang advertised on Craigslist. What seemed like an innocent car purchase turned into a horrific trap, where Towns murdered them for the purpose of robbery.
The details of the case remained unclear for several years, but a breakthrough occurred in 2023 when a magnet fisherman made a chilling discovery. While searching Horse Creek in McRae-Helena, the fisherman found a .22 caliber rifle, a bag containing the Runions’ driver’s licenses, credit cards, and their cell phone. These findings led investigators to conduct further searches, which ultimately uncovered crucial evidence linking Towns to the crime.
The Runions had been reported missing by their family after they failed to arrive for a scheduled babysitting session with their grandchildren. Four days later, authorities discovered their bodies submerged in a pond in Telfair County. Investigators had already determined that the couple had communicated with Towns before their disappearance, and he was quickly arrested. However, the legal process was complicated and lengthy. The original indictment was dismissed, leading to a series of appeals, and the pandemic added additional delays to the proceedings.
As the case dragged on, it became increasingly clear that Towns had carefully planned the murders. The couple’s trip to Telfair County was meant to be a straightforward car transaction, but instead, it was a deadly trap. Towns had no intention of selling a car. Instead, he intended to rob and kill them, which he successfully carried out. The discovery of their personal items and the subsequent search of Towns’ residence helped to piece together the details of the crime, confirming his role in the murder.
At his sentencing, Towns pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison. His conviction was the result of meticulous investigation and the unfortunate but crucial evidence discovered by the fisherman. Although Towns was apprehended early in the investigation, the complex legal and procedural challenges meant that justice was delayed. Nevertheless, the conviction brought a sense of closure to the Runion family, who had suffered immensely from the loss of their loved ones.
During the sentencing, the Runions’ daughter, Brittany Patterson, delivered a powerful victim impact statement, reflecting on the profound generosity and kindness of her parents. She described how they had devoted much of their lives to helping others. The Runions were known for their charitable acts, including donating bicycles to children at Christmas and assisting stranded motorists during a winter storm just months before their deaths. Brittany spoke movingly of the loss, not just of her parents, but of two individuals who had made the world a better place through their actions and spirit.
Towns, however, showed little emotion or remorse during the proceedings. He did not speak in his defense or offer any acknowledgment of the harm he had caused. His indifference only served to highlight the coldness of the crime and the severity of the tragedy. His guilty plea and life sentences brought some measure of justice for the Runion family, though it could never undo the heartache caused by his actions.
The case serves as a tragic reminder of the lengths to which some individuals will go to deceive and harm others for personal gain. Despite the delays and challenges in the legal system, the discovery of key evidence allowed law enforcement to ensure that Towns would be held accountable for his actions, bringing some closure to the victims’ grieving family.
