Drake Ladon Keef, a fugitive listed among the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office’s Top 10 Most Wanted, was captured Wednesday in Georgia. The 32-year-old was wanted on aggravated battery, hit-and-run and driving-with-a-suspended-license warrants connected to the investigation into the death of 35-year-old Stevie Marie Thompson. Authorities have not disclosed how Thompson died, what led them to identify Keef or whether the two knew each other. Keef was booked into the Floyd County Jail after deputies from the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the arrest.
The investigation centers on a late-night incident in Rome, Georgia, between midnight and 1 a.m. on Aug. 22. Police later identified Keef as a suspect in Thompson’s death and obtained arrest warrants, but officials have not released the cause or manner of death. Thompson’s family is also seeking financial support for funeral costs and assistance for her children and relatives.
| 1) | Capture ends the Georgia manhunt |
| 2) | Warrants connect Keef to the death investigation |
| 3) | Key details about Thompson’s death remain unknown |
| 4) | Family seeks support while remembering Thompson |
| 5) | Investigators continue examining the case |
Capture ends the Georgia manhunt
Keef was taken into custody Wednesday with assistance from the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office and then booked into the Floyd County Jail. The arrest ended the search for a suspect who had been placed on the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office’s Top 10 Most Wanted list during the investigation. Officials did not immediately identify the precise location of the arrest or explain the circumstances that led deputies to Keef.
Authorities had warned members of the public not to approach Keef and instead to provide information to law enforcement. The sheriff’s office thanked the assisting deputies and community members who helped advance the search.
Warrants connect Keef to the death investigation
The warrants against Keef allege aggravated battery, hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license. Floyd County police said the warrants were tied to the investigation into Thompson’s death. Police later identified Keef as a suspect and secured the warrants, although officials have not publicly described the evidence supporting that identification.
The charges listed in the warrants do not by themselves establish how Thompson died or determine whether Keef will face additional charges. He remained in the Floyd County Jail following his capture as investigators continued reviewing the case.
Key details about Thompson’s death remain unknown
The incident occurred in Rome between midnight and 1 a.m. on Aug. 22. Thompson was 35 years old, but authorities have not explained what happened during the late-night incident, what role Keef allegedly played or whether Thompson and Keef had a prior relationship.
Officials have also withheld Thompson’s cause and manner of death. Those unanswered questions remain central to the investigation, and authorities have not said what evidence led them to identify Keef or whether the case could result in further allegations.
Family seeks support while remembering Thompson
While the investigation continues, Thompson’s family is raising money for funeral expenses and support for her children, sisters and other relatives. A fundraiser created in her memory had collected nearly $4,000 toward an $8,000 goal as of Thursday.
The fundraiser also remembered Thompson for the lives she was able to save as an organ donor. The effort gives the family and community a way to address immediate financial needs while authorities work to establish the circumstances of her death.
Investigators continue examining the case
Keef’s arrest removes a major fugitive from the search, but it does not resolve the broader investigation. Police still must determine what occurred in Rome, how the allegations in the warrants relate to Thompson’s death and whether more charges are appropriate.
Authorities have not announced a final account of the incident. The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office thanked those who helped locate Keef and indicated that the investigation remains active. Additional information could clarify the evidence, the sequence of events and the legal consequences he may face.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Keef was captured Wednesday with help from Bartow County deputies. |
| 2 | He was booked on aggravated battery, hit-and-run and suspended-license warrants. |
| 3 | Authorities have not disclosed Thompson’s cause or manner of death. |
Summary
The capture of Drake Ladon Keef ends a Georgia manhunt but leaves significant questions about Stevie Marie Thompson’s death unanswered. Keef remains in the Floyd County Jail on warrants connected to the investigation, while police continue examining the Aug. 22 incident in Rome. Thompson’s family is seeking financial assistance and remembering her contribution as an organ donor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Georgia investigation?
Drake Ladon Keef, 32, was captured Wednesday and booked into the Floyd County Jail.
What charges were listed on the warrants?
The warrants listed aggravated battery, hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license.
What is known about Stevie Marie Thompson’s death?
Thompson died after a late-night incident in Rome on Aug. 22. Authorities have not disclosed her cause or manner of death, the alleged role of Keef or whether the two knew each other.
