Georgia murder suspect arrested after dayslong search; girl found safe

Cody Matthews  was taken into custody three days after he allegedly shot a man to death.

Credit: Butts County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Butts County Sheriff's Office

Cody Matthews was taken into custody three days after he allegedly shot a man to death.

A murder suspect was taken into custody Wednesday, three days after being accused of shooting a man to death at a Butts County home, officials said.

The Butts County sheriff’s office arrested 20-year-old Cody Matthews about 2:30 p.m. in connection with the death of Ryan Ray.

Investigators had been searching for Matthews since Sunday, when he allegedly killed Ray at a home on Madison Avenue in the Jackson Glenn subdivision. Few details were released about the incident.

RELATED: Georgia murder suspect sought; woman with him in 'extreme danger,' sheriff says

Matthews was found hiding in a home in Williamson, sheriff's officials said in a Facebook post. 

Autumn Keara Finlay

Credit: Butts County Sheriff's Office

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Credit: Butts County Sheriff's Office

Autumn Keara Finlay, who was previously said to be traveling with Matthews, was also found safe.

Investigators originally believed Finlay, 21, was in “extreme danger” and was possibly being held against her will. However, the Butts sheriff said Tuesday that Finlay was thought to be helping Matthews avoid arrest and announced she was wanted on charges of aiding and abetting a fugitive.

MORE: Woman thought to be in 'extreme danger' is helping Georgia murder suspect, cops say

At this time, Finlay’s involvement in the case is not clear. The sheriff’s office has not said if it intends to arrest or charge her.

Matthews was taken to the Butts County jail, where he is charged with murder and aggravated assault.

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