An unplanned side project of a local man’s magnet fishing trip became a major discovery when he unearthed what seems to be vital evidence in the unsolved murder of a Cobb couple that horrified the neighborhood nine years ago. With this accidental discovery, the incident—which remains one of the most baffling cold cases in the region—may see new developments.
Jacob Reynolds, a hobbyist, had first taken up magnet fishing as a means of exploring nearby rivers and removing metal detritus. Carrying a robust rope and a powerful neodymium magnet, Reynolds regularly made trips to the more sedate sections of the nearby lakes and rivers. His regular haunt, a calm section of the Chattahoochee River, was visited last Saturday by other magnet fishing aficionados.
Reynolds thought nothing more than the typical haul of bottle caps, rusty tools, or maybe some abandoned bicycle parts would come back when he threw his magnet into the river that afternoon. But this time, the resistance and weight on the rope seemed remarkably great. A rusty gun covered in muck and algae was what Reynolds was shocked to find when he eventually pulled his prize out of the water.
Knowing the item might be significant, Reynolds called the Cobb County Police Department right away. The police quickly seized the gun and started the process of cleaning and identifying it. The gun has been connected by preliminary investigations to a kind of weapon that was allegedly stolen and maybe used in the unsolved double murder of Michael and Elizabeth Thompson, a local couple discovered dead in their house at the end of 2010. Leads dried up and the murder weapon was never located, therefore the case had become stale.
Cobb County Police detective Linda Cho expressed cautious hope for the finding. “We’ve been waiting for this break, and finding a piece of evidence like this,” she said. To ascertain if the weapon was used in the crime, the authorities are currently tracking down its serial number and carrying out forensic investigations.
The community, still troubled by the terrible death of the Thompsons, has rekindled optimism for a resolution. Reynolds now sees magnet fishing differently because of the discovery, which gives it a purpose beyond simple treasure hunting. “Bringing families closure, maybe even justice,” he said.
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Police and the public are reminded as the inquiry goes on of the possible benefits of community involvement in crime solving. This event demonstrates how even the most unlikely actions can lead to important discoveries in criminal investigations and also gives an old case fresh attention.