From staff reports
The Warner Robins Police Department reported Thursday that a person missing since 1988 was murdered, according to a news release from the department.
Valerie Coates was reported missing in Warner Robins on April 9, 1988. She was 22 years old at the time she was reported missing. Detective Karen Stokes was assigned to investigate Coates’ disappearance in April 2007.
After multiple interviews and follow-up on investigative leads, Stokes was able to determine that Coates was murdered and buried in Pulaski County, according to the news release from Capt. Chris Rooks.
Coates has been removed from Georgia Crime Information Center as missing and family notifications have been made, the release stated. The investigation has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations in Eastman, and Tim Vaughn, district attorney of the Oconee Judicial Circuit.
Agencies involved in the investigation are the Warner Robins Police Department, Warner Robins Utilities Department, GBI Eastman, Georgia Department of Corrections, Pulaski Sheriff’s Office and Hawkinsville Police Department.
This is the second cold case detectives have solved, the release stated.
DNA evidence was used to identify and arrest Ronald Free for the December 1995 slaying of Carol Johnson at 101 North Ave. Free was arrested on Nov. 16, 2007, and the case is pending prosecution at the Houston County District Attorney’s office.
The Warner Robins Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is actively investigating nine unsolved homicide cases and one missing person case covering the past 40 years. These cases can be viewed and tips can be submitted on the department Web site under Criminal Investigations or by calling 929-6911.
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