Callum Jones
Police have made a major breakthrough in the case of a 17-year-old boy who was found dead in Georgia in 2011.
Blake Chappell vanished while walking from his girlfriend's house to another friend’s digs following his high school homecoming dance on October 16th of that year.
The teenager was found deceased from a single gunshot wound in a creek wearing just underwear on December 19, 2011.
Detectives initially described Blake's disappearance as a runaway missing persons case before he was found laying down in the creek shortly before Christmas.
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Local Fox 5 said police received an anonymous tip in 2023 in the form of a letter, with officials pleading with the individual to come forward to provide more information. And while it remains unclear whether the letter played a part, police have confirmed a major breakthrough has been made in the case.
On Friday (September 12), The Newnan Police Department confirmed they had made an arrest in connection with Blake's death, some 15 years after he was killed. Scotty Elliot Smith has allegedly 'confessed' to killing the teenager, and been charged with murder.
Police say the 38-year-old has also been charged with 'aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, concealing the death of another, and tampering with evidence'.
The department added in a statement: "This arrest is the result of countless hours of dedication by the Newnan Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, as well as the direct, professional assistance of the Coweta County DA’s Investigators.
"We thank the community for the continued support and cooperation throughout this lengthy process. The commitment of our partners and the community’s trust has been vital in the pursuit of justice."
Smith 'was not previously investigated' in connection to Blake's murder, but a 'new lead' lead them to him.
"During the investigation into this new lead, the NPD detectives corroborated facts of the case, as related to Smith," Police added.
"In his multiple interviews with detectives, Scotty Smith confessed to the murder of Blake Tyler Chappell."
People reports Smith has a previous criminal history, having been sent to jail in August 2018 for a slew of charges, including criminal damage and criminal damage to government property.
The suspect was released from prison in July 2020, according to inmate records.
While an arrest has been made, police say the case is still an 'ongoing investigation' and anyone with any kind of information are asked to reach out to Det. Marcos Gonzalez or Lt. Chris Robinson at (770) 254-2355.