ATHENS, Ga. — A suspect was arrested as detectives continue searching for the remains of a man who was reported missing in Athens-Clarke County nearly 10 years ago.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department said 63-year-old James Mitchell was last seen in the Clarke Gardens area on August 15, 2016.

Police said the suspect, 47-year-old Kevin Maurice Jones, was taken into custody on September 25, 2025, following an investigation into Mitchell's disappearance. Jones is facing murder, robbery, aggravated assault and concealing the death of a person charges.

“This arrest is the result of tireless work by our detectives, in close partnership with our District Attorney’s Office, who were committed to finding the truth and seeking justice for James Mitchell’s family, no matter how long it took

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