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Culberson – Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a man in last month’s death of a local woman.
James Tyrone Smith, 57, of Murphy, was arrested Friday and charged with one count of murder in the death of 55-year-old Shirley McClure. Smith already was in custody at the Cherokee County Detention Center in Murphy, where he is still being held without bond.
Chief Deputy Joe Wood confirmed that Smith confessed to the murder. Wood added that the confession included information about the manner of death, as well as other key details in the case.
“They were absolutely included, and they were just as we expected from day one,” Wood said. “ ... The arrest was made after irrefutable evidence was developed in the case.”
Wood declined to reveal those details at this time to ensure the integrity of the case, but he did say investigators also secured a motive. He added that Smith and McClure knew each other.
“They were definitely acquaintances with some type of relationship,” Wood said. “I don’t know if I would go so far as to say boyfriend-girlfriend.”
McClure’s body was discovered by family members at her Culberson home about 9:30 p.m. Jan. 11, when they became concerned after being unable to reach her by phone. According to the medical examiner, McClure died between Jan. 6-9.
Investigators revealed that McClure’s sky blue Nissan Rogue was missing from her residence after her
body was discovered. The car was recovered on U.S. 129 in Bellview near the Georgia line. Smith was arrested on Jan. 14 and charged with felony possession of stolen goods – property.
Wood credited the sheriff’s office’s team of investigators for the many hours they put into securing an arrest.
“One of the most horrendous crimes that occurs in our society is murder,” Wood said. “These ladies and gentlemen stepped up, and I would match them up with any agency anywhere with the work they did on this case.”
McClure’s social media indicated she worked as a certified nurse’s aide for Personal Touch Home Health Care after graduating from Tri-County Community College in Peachtree.