Man charged with murdering Georgia grandmother was in country illegally, ICE says
ICE: Man charged with woman's death in the US illegally
We now know the person accused of killing a mother and grandmother in a random attack in Cobb County is an illegal immigrant. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says they caught the suspect at the southern border four years ago but was released while he waited for a hearing.
COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A man accused of murdering a Cobb County grandmother after allegedly strangling her had entered the United States illegally, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says.
The agency tells FOX News that 21-year-old Hector David Sagastume Rivas had been caught and released at the southern border in March 2021.
ORIGINAL STORY: Cobb County police investigating suspicious death on Pat Mell Road
The backstory:
Police in Cobb County began their investigation after the body of 52-year-old Camillia Williams was discovered in some bushes in a yard on the 200 block of Pat Mell Road near South Cobb Drive.
Cobb County police spent at least two days in the neighborhood gathering evidence. Days later, they announced that they had charged Rivas with Williams' killing.
Woman killed in Cobb County
Cobb County police say they are investigating a suspicious death in the 200 block of Pat Mell Road near South Cobb Drive in Marietta area. A woman's body was found in some bushes in the area. Denise Dillon reporting.
According to an arrest warrant, Rivas physically assaulted Williams, placing her in a chokehold and causing her to lose consciousness. Once she was unconscious, the suspect allegedly told police he put both knees and his full body weight on her neck, leading to her death.
The murder occurred between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. on March 12, investigators say.
Rivas has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, according to the Cobb County Police Department. He remains in custody without bond.
What we know:
Speaking to FOX News, the Department of Homeland Security said that Rivas entered the United States illegally on March 17, 2021, and had been arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol.
"He was issued a notice to appear and paroled into the country by the previous administration," the agency said in a statement. "A judge ordered him removed on July 11, 2023."
ICE said that it has lodged an immigration detainer with the Cobb County Jail.
"President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow criminal illegal aliens—including accused murderers—to be loose on America’s streets," a department spokesperson said.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also issued a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter):
What they're saying:
"If you take someone's life," said Camillia's brother Arsene Williams. "Your life is nothing to me."
Camillia's family was left in disbelief about her death and the fact that ICE says Sagastume Rivas was in the country illegally.
"He was kind of stalking her, waiting for her to be by herself then he strangled her," Arsene said.
Her family believes Camillia would still be here today if Sagastume Rivas had been deported and not allowed into the country in 2021.
"In March 2025, my sister lost her life because the system failed to deport him after they had him in custody," Arsene said.
That part is among the worst parts for her brothers. The family is from Louisiana, but they plan to come to Georgia for the trial.
"My sister took her last breath in Georgia, so he needs to take his last breath in Georgia," said Tony Williams.
What you can do:
The investigation into Williams' death is still active and anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (770) 499-3945 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (404) 577-8477.
The Source: Information for this story was taken from a statement from the Department of Homeland Security sent to FOX News, previous reporting by FOX 5 Atlanta and an interview with the victim's family.