Dunwoody double homicide investigation continues.

Incident: Death Investigation (Update)
Date: 07/12/2010
Location: 1962 Peeler Road, Dunwoody, GA 30346

The Dunwoody Police Department continues to actively investigate the deaths of Roger and Dot Abbott. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were found dead in their home located at 1962 Peeler Road after DeKalb County Firefighters responded to a structure fire at that location. It was later determined the fire was started intentionally and the Abbotts were murdered. Both the Dunwoody Police Department and the DeKalb County Fire Department were on the scene within minutes of the call being received at 11:18 a.m. on July 1, 2010.

Detectives with the Dunwoody Police Department have been working tirelessly on this investigation since first responding to the scene. Additionally, arson investigators with the DeKalb County Fire Department, the Sandy Springs Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the ATF, the Secret Service, and the FBI are all assisting our department.

The Dunwoody Police Department has committed every available resource toward the successful investigation of this terrible crime and to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible. Our Detectives have interviewed potential witnesses, collected evidence which has been sent to the crime lab, and are continuing to follow potential leads in this case.

On Monday, July 12, 2010, Chief Billy Grogan met with the Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEO), a group that Roger Abbott belonged to for many years, at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Chief Grogan provided an update on the investigation, listened to their concerns and answered their questions.

Although the Dunwoody Police Department would like to release additional details of the investigation, we cannot do so at this time. “The circumstances of any death investigation dictate what details can and can’t be released to the public. In this particular investigation, the release of specific information such as the cause of death, details of the circumstances of the deaths, or any investigative leads could potentially harm our investigation and could possibly interfere with our ability to successfully prosecute a suspect or suspects in the future,” said Chief Billy Grogan.

In general, the City of Dunwoody is a safe community. We urge all citizens to maintain their normal safety precautions by locking their doors, setting their alarms and reporting any suspicious activity by calling 911.

At this time, we have no information to indicate any direct threat or risk to any other person or group in our community.