Funeral Plans Detailed In Suicide Note

"Appling, GA - The granddaughter and great-grandson of former Columbia County Sheriff Edward Tankersley died early this morning in what authorities say was a murder-suicide in Appling.

"Nancy Tankersley Anderson, 56, and Robert Anderson, 24, were pronounced dead at 3:37 a.m. by Columbia County Deputy Coroner Harriett Garrison, said Coroner Vernon Collins.

"Both bodies were found in a rear bedroom of 6416 Washington Road, Appling, about two miles west of Pollard’s Corner, said Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Steve Morris. The home is owned by Ms. Anderson’s father, Robert Tankersley, Mr. Collins said. Mr. Tankersley is the son of former Sheriff Tankersley, who died in 1986.

"Mr. Tankersley called the sheriff’s office when he was awakened shortly after 3 a.m. after hearing `four or five gunshots` and then finding the bodies of his daughter and grandson in a rear bedroom, Capt. Morris said.

"Responding deputies found Mr. Anderson’s body in a bed with what appear to be multiple gunshot wounds to the head, while Mrs. Anderson was dead from what appears to be a single gunshot wound, Mr. Collins said. A .38-caliber Taurus handgun was recovered from the scene, Capt. Morris said.

"Both bodies were taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Augusta for autopsies, Mr. Collins said.

"Describing a possible motive for the suspected murder-suicide, Mr. Collins said Mrs. Anderson left a two-page letter, dated Wednesday, explaining that she had decided to take her son’s life and her own because of his mounting debts from fines and probation. The letter included detailed plans for their funerals, Mr. Collins added."

From the Augusta Chronicle...