Man accused of murdering Marietta woman arrested in Florida
Charles Cook of Marietta (Credit: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office)
CRESTVIEW, Fla. - A man on the run, wanted in the killing of a Marietta mother of four, was caught in Florida, according to law enforcement.
Melinda Jolly, 44, was found dead in a home on Perch Drive by her cousin, Jill Thompson, during a welfare check.
"Crime scene units came out, and the whole block was filled with police officers, detectives," said neighbor Daniele Burdett.
"Officers deemed her death was suspicious, they had previously been out to this residence several times for domestic violence," said Cobb County Police Officer Aaron Wilson.
Charles Franklin Cook, 41, of Marietta, was identified as a suspect.
On Jan. 18, special investigators with the Okaloosa Sheriff's Office found him and his car in a Publix parking lot in Crestview, Florida.
Charles Cook of Marietta (Credit: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office)
He was taken into custody on Cobb County warrants and charged with murder and aggravated assault.
Cook will be extradited back to Georgia where he will face a judge.
Who is Melinda Jolly?
Melinda Jolly moved to Georgia from California following the death of her husband.
"Her husband was terminal with cancer when she was pregnant with her twin boys," her cousin, Jill Thompson said.
"Just the most caring, loving woman, and she loved her children so much," she added.
Jolly moved to a Cobb County neighborhood with three of her youngest children for a fresh start.
"Her kids played with my kids, and we would have parties and get-togethers," Thompson recalled.
That would all change after she met Charles Cook, and he moved in with her. Jolly was seen less and less. She would not go out for different activities as much.
"Her family in California, and here, were constantly calling for welfare checks," Thompson said. "They were constantly reaching out to her."
"She came here for a fresh start, and he preyed on her and even through all the abuse he was sending her way, she was still so strong," she added.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help her children.