Local man charged in New Year’s Day murder
Alex Smith, III
A 67-year-old Cairo man has been charged in what has now been revealed as a stabbing death of Donald Vandergriff of Cairo. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has now said Mr. Vandergriff, 62, died “of apparent knife wounds, in his home, in Cairo” on New Year’s Day.
On Thursday, Feb. 21, The GBI, along with officers of the Cairo Police Department, arrested Alex Smith III, on one count of malice murder, one count of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, and one count of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony.
A neighbor found a deceased Vandergriff in his home at 480 Sixth St. SW at 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Cairo Police asked the GBI to investigate the matter.
A press release from the GBI states, “During the course of the investigation evidence was obtained that led to Smith becoming a suspect and then the arrest of Smith.” The arrest happened without incident, according to the GBI, and Smith was booked into the Grady County Detention Center.
“This case is active and ongoing at this time and will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office when completed,” the release states.
Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to contact the Thomasville GBI Office at (229) 225-4090.
