Published February 16, 2005
Body believed to be Sueann Ray found
Estranged husband arrested for murder

Top officials with the GBI announced Wednesday, February 8, that a body believed to be that of Sueann Ray was found in a shallow grave in north Cherokee County earlier that morning.
Her estranged husband, Quinton Ray, 27, of Pickens County, was arrested less than an hour after the discovery, according to information at the GBI press conference. Quinton Ray was charged with murder and taken to the Pickens County jail where he remained as of Monday.
Twenty-six-year-old, Sueann Ray, a former resident of Pickens County and mother of a six-year-old daughter, was last seen in Jasper, Friday, August 26.
On Thursday, Ray had his first court appearance which lasted less than five minutes. It was held at the new jail in front of Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver. At that appearance, Ray said he understood the charge of murder against him.
Ray will be tried in Pickens County as law enforcement agents believe the murder occurred here.
GBI Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland office, John Cagle, said Monday GBI agents are continuing to work leads in possible related cases, but have not made any further arrests. During the Wednesday press conference, Cagle indicated there may be additional arrests for people who "might possibly have knowledge of this and were involved as well."
During the press conference Cagle said the GBI had poured all of its resources into the investigation, using 30 different officers in the past 30 days. He said a month long undercover effort had been critical to finding the body.
Cagle said GBI agents including a forensic anthropologist had gone to a wooded area in north Cherokee to search before daylight Wednesday morning.
When asked why they were there before daylight, Cagle said they wanted to complete their search before anyone knew they were there. He said the property is near some of Quinton Ray's relatives.
Cagle said it is believed the murder took place at Quinton Ray's residence in Jasper. Cagle said agents made note of some conditions there during an initial search of Ray's residence several months ago. Cagle would not discuss what specific evidence they had linking the residence to the murder.
During the press conference Cagle responded to previous criticism about the time it took for GBI to make an arrest. The case had been featured in many local newspapers and on a CNN television broadcast.
Cagle said GBI had poured all their resources into the case and worked leads as they became available.
Gary Moss, DA from the Blue Ridge Circuit (which includes Cherokee County where the investigation began as a missing persons case in Woodstock) said despite the criticism, the GBI and all law enforcement officials had done an exemplary job in finding the body and making an arrest.
"It's easy to speculate," Moss said. "But it takes cold hard evidence to make a case."
GBI Director Vernon Keenan also stressed the bureau had worked diligently on this case and called it an "absolute priority."
Following the press conference, Danny Jenkins, father of SueAnn, said even though he knew his daughter had been killed all along, hearing it officially was a shock.
"I hit the ground," he said. "Everything I had thought for the past weeks had come true."
Jenkins said he had felt all along Quinton Ray had killed his daughter.
He said he just knew as he was close to his daughter.
According to a website about the case, www.findsueann.org:
"Once Sueann Ray is released from GBI to her family, a memorial will be held. No date has been set.
"The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, to please send a donation to SueAnn Ray's daughter, Charity for her education fund. Charity Danielle Ray Education Fund Donations will be accepted at any Bank of America Location."
Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Holly Springs.
Sueann was a former resident of Henderson Mountain Road. She was last seen in Jasper prior to her disappearance. At that time she was living in Woodstock.
According to police information, she had driven here so her estranged husband could work on her car Friday, August 26. That was the last time she was seen.
Her car was discovered the following Monday at the Wal- Mart parking lot in Canton.