Funeral Today for Hart County Murder Victim

A graveside service will be held today in Athens for the victim of a murder in Hart Count on Halloween night as investigators continue to search for those responsible.

The body of 32-year-old Delphonso Tobias Heard was found dead in the early morning hours of November 1, on the Bowman Highway near Hickory Crossing according to Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland.

“About 1a we got word that there had been a pedestrian evidently struck and killed and was in the roadway,” he said. “When deputies got there they discovered some shell casings in the road. So, when the Coroner got there, he examined the body and discovered he had indeed been shot. At that point in time, we called the GBI to help in the investigation. They came and it’s been an all-night thing.”

Cleveland said it appeared Heard had been shot and then struck by two separate vehicles. The GBI was called in and they are continuing the investigation.

However, the Sheriff continues to ask for the public’s help to solve this case.

“In a case like this, we start off with nothing. We depend heavily on the public’s help. Somebody knows something. Please call us and let us know so we can solve this murder,” he said.

If anyone has information regarding this case, you can call the GBI’s TIP line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or go online to https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

You do not have to give your name.