McDaniel Named Person of Interest in Homicide Investigation

Macon Police say 25-year old Stephen Mark McDaniel is a person of interest in the Georgia Avenue homicide investigation.

Police arrested him early this morning on unrelated burglary charges after he admitted going into one of his neighbor’s apartments and removing property without that resident’s knowledge. He made that admission after police executed a search overnight.  The burglary happened between December 26, 2008 and January 31, 2009.

Police were searching for evidence for two active cases: an unidentified female homicide victim, who was discovered outside of the apartment building and a missing persons case. Friends reported recent Mercer Law grad Lauren Giddings missing earlier this week.  Giddings is McDaniel’s neighbor.

Police say McDaniel admitted stealing from another neighbor’s apartment, not Giddings’.

Macon Police also say the FBI is helping by analyzing DNA that investigators have gathered.  Police noted that even though McDaniels is a person of interest, no one has been excluded as the case is active and open.

In a news release, Macon Police CID Major Charles Stone said, “Currently, my detectives are gathering evidence and clues, are establishing processing theories, and are creating possible scenarios for the crime.”

He also added that he and Macon Police Chief Mike Burns have been in contact with Giddings’ family, and said “they have requested privacy and compassion at this difficult time.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68-CRIME.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story reported that the GBI Crime Lab was assisting with DNA evidence.  Macon Police issued a correction saying the FBI is taking care of that part of the investigation.