Firefighter arrested for photographing twins' death scene on Bell Mountain, GBI says
Quaadir and Naazir Lewis. Courtesy of GoFundMe
TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has charged a volunteer firefighter in connection with their investigation into the deaths of twin brothers whose bodies were discovered on Bell Mountain.
Scott Kerlin, age 42, of Hiawassee, is facing a charge of misdemeanor obstruction. He was booked into the Towns County Detention Center, but has posted bail.
SCOTT KERLIN. COURTESY OF TOWNS COUNTY DETENTION CENTER
SEE MORE: Grieving family members suspect foul play in Bell Mountain deaths of twins
The backstory:
Authorities say Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis, both 19, of Lawrenceville, were discovered on March 8 at the top of Bell Mountain.
Both men were found with gunshot wounds.
ORIGINAL STORY: Twin brothers found dead on Bell Mountain in apparent murder-suicide
The preliminary investigation suggests the deaths to have been a murder-suicide. The GBI's medical examiner has completed autopsies on the twins, but the official ruling and results are pending additional forensic tests.
What we know:
According to an update from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday, Kerlin was a volunteer firefighter in Towns County, the county where Bell Mountain is located.
Kerlin is accused of taking photos of the death scene and sharing them publicly. Officials have not shared details about where Kerlin allegedly shared the photos.
Kerlin has been "terminated" from his position as a volunteer firefighter for violation of protocol, according to a spokesperson for Towns County.
Dig deeper:
Family members told FOX 5 that the Lawrenceville twins were scheduled to fly to Boston on March 7 to visit friends, but never made their flight out of Atlanta.
Family suspects foul play in twins' 'murder-suicide'
Grieving family members suspect foul play in the deaths of twin brothers, Naazir and Qaadir Lewis, found shot to death atop Bell Mountain in Towns County. Officials say the preliminary findings point to a murder-suicide, but the family says that's just not possible.
Their airline tickets were still in their wallets when their bodies were discovered the next day on the mountain by a hiker.
Loved ones say the teens had never visited the area where they were found, which is two and a half hours away from Atlanta, and said they did not believe their deaths were a murder-suicide.
What's next:
The investigation into the brothers' deaths remains ongoing. Officials are asking anyone with information to contact the GBI.
The Source: Information for this story was taken from an update on the GBI's investigation and previous FOX 5 reporting.