Authorities hope that the identification of the remains of a war veteran reported missing six years ago will lead to clues in his death.
Jason Roark disappeared back in 2006. He was last seen on surveillance camera a year after returning home from war at a Gwinnett County motel in November of 2006. His vehicle was found at a rest area in Morgan County shortly after his disappearance.
Human remains found a year ago in Morgan County were identified by DNA as Roark, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office said on Friday.
Authorities say that they are starting from scratch with the investigation, interviewing any potential witnesses and pouring through cell phone records and surveillance video.
Roark's mother, Terry, said the family a memorial service two years ago when they gave up hope of Roark or his killer ever being found.
"Even when Jason was in Iraq, Jay would call us every day," said Terry Roark.
Investigators say they know the cause of death and classify it as a homicide.
"Six years somebody still has to remember or know something that's happened," said Terry Roark.
Now as the country observes Veterans Day, the Roarks are finally preparing to bury their son later this week – six years after someone took his life.
"He served two tours, never got a scratch on him and then to come back home and in less than a year someone take his life -- it's senseless," said Terry Roark.
Terry Roark says she still believes the killer will be caught and that her son's body being identified is the first step to finding justice.
"I guess I just need for them to pay for what they did and I need for them to realize that taking someone's life means something. It means something to us, it means something to his friends," said Terry Roark.
Investigators in Morgan County say the key in this investigation is for someone who knows something to step forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (706) 342-1000.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:48:00 GMT
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma.
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma. Those shelters could mean the difference between life and death when faced with one of these powerful storms.
A federal court has struck down Fayette County's at-large method of electing members to certain county offices, saying the method was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
A federal court has struck down Fayette County's at-large method of electing members to certain county offices, saying the method was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
Two Clark Atlanta University students who call themselves brothers despite being from opposite sides of the world have graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian.
Two Clark Atlanta University students who call themselves brothers despite being from opposite sides of the world have graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:17:02 GMT
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
