Police said the victim had severe head trauma, and officers rendered aid until EMTs and fire-rescue units arrived on the scene. The victim was taken to Polk Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

According to James Newsome, Cedartown Assistant Chief of Police, the victim was identified as 23-year-old Adias Tomas. Newsome said he was apparently beaten to death.

Police requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and a GBI investigator and crime scene specialist were sent to assist local detectives in the investigation.

The two men at the scene initially told investigators that four black males had entered the residence and severely beat the victim. However, according to Newsome, evidence at the scene was inconsistent with that story.

Police later arrested Anibal De Leon-Tomas, 21, and charged him with one count of murder.

Newsome confirmed that both the victim and the man charged with the murder were residents at the home. He said investigators thoroughly searched the house and grounds looking for a murder weapon, but were unable to find one. He said the autopsy report and information from the forensic pathologist should be able to help identify what the victim was struck with.