A 58-year-old man has been charged with concealing a death after the body of a woman was discovered last month buried beneath a bridge on Riverwatch Parkway in Augusta.
Mitchell Pelham, who has a history of drug-related offenses, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the death of Cindy Reese, a homeless woman whose remains were found on May 20 near the eastbound Fifteenth Street bridge. Authorities say a second suspect is being sought, but that person’s identity has not yet been released.
According to an arrest warrant, Pelham and another man “did conceal the death of Cindy Reese in order to hinder discovery of whether or not [she] was unlawfully killed.”
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said Reese’s body was buried in soil beneath the bridge and showed signs of a “deep concealment.” The remains have not yet been released, pending autopsy results from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation lab in Atlanta.
Investigators were led to the site after receiving a tip about a possible grave. Crime Scene Unit officers located freshly disturbed soil and later uncovered human remains in what they described as a shallow grave.
The case is being handled by Investigator Sean Morrow of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Multiple divisions—including the Criminal Investigation Division, Crime Scene Unit, and the Homeless Operations Team—are actively working the case.
Pelham has prior convictions for manufacturing methamphetamine, drug possession, shoplifting, and providing false information to police. He has served prison time and was on parole at the time of his arrest.
Cindy Reese, who had also faced legal troubles during her period of homelessness, was remembered by many in the community as a kind and caring presence. Online posts from those who knew her described her personal struggles and generosity.
“This lady has not always been homeless,” wrote Sherrel Wilson. “Her husband died a few years back. She raised a son in a wheelchair and took care of him. I don’t know how she ended up like this, but she was really sweet.”
Another commenter, who had shared a shelter with Reese, wrote: “We were at the Salvation Army together. She made sure my kids were straight. She was like an auntie to them.”
Authorities have not yet determined whether Reese was the victim of foul play. The investigation remains ongoing.
