Arrest Made in Cairo Death Investigation

Thomas County, GA (October 4, 2023) – On September 26, 2023, Christopher James, of Cairo, Georgia was charged with Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Theft by Taking, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The charges were in relation to the death of Lewis Herring who was found dead in September of 2022. 

James was already in the Thomas County Jail on unrelated charges at the time the new warrants were obtained for him.  

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Cairo, GA (September 22, 2022) - On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at about 1:30 p.m., the GBI was requested by the Cairo Police Department to assist in an investigation regarding the death of 18-year-old Lewis Herring, Jr. of Cairo, Georgia.

Herring was found in the Forrest Lawn Cemetery on 11th Avenue NW in Cairo, GA, by officers with the Cairo Police Department after he was reported missing by his parents earlier on September 21, 2022.

Agents and Crime Scene Specialists responded to work with investigators from the Cairo Police Department.

An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Macon, Georgia.

This case is active and ongoing. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the GBI at 229-225-4090 or Cairo Police at 229-378-3096. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.