Two charged with murder after missing Habersham man's body found burned

CLARKESVILLE – Two people now are in jail after a Habersham County man, missing for a week, was found dead near Mt. Airy overnight Wednesday.

According to Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell, the burned body of Michael Larry Hill, 62, of Cornelia was located off Ayers Road near Mt. Airy.

Hill was reported missing Wednesday, after last being heard from on Aug. 28, Terrell said. Investigators went to his home, but were unable to locate him.

Late Wednesday, a 9-1-1 call was received giving information about the location of Hill’s body. Deputies and investigators from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to 213 Ayers Road in Mt. Airy, who then contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. GBI agents and a crime scene technician responded to the scene.

GBI agents discovered Hill's remains, which were taken to the GBI State Crime Lab in Decatur for identification.

Albert Buford Brown, 35, of Mt. Airy is being held without bond in the Habersham County Detention Center in Clarkesville charged with murder and burglary.

William Douglas Downer, 50, of Clarkesville was arrested by members of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Specialized Response Team around 12:10 p.m. Thursday in Mt. Airy. Downer also is being held without bond on murder and burglary charges.

Sheriff’s office officials clarified that the victim is not Larry Michael Hill of Fairview, former principal and current administrative assistant for facilities with the Habersham County School System; nor is it Michael Hill of Clarkesville Auto Parts.

Terrell asks anyone with information about the incident to contact the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Office at (706) 839-1724.