Four Arrested for Murder After 15-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Georgia

Three teenagers and one adult have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of 15-year-old Austin Payne in Albany, Georgia, according to the Albany Police Department. Officers responded to the 800 block of Cameo Lane on November 1, 2026, after receiving a report of an incident, and discovered Payne dead inside an abandoned home.

Investigators determined that the victim had called his mother on Halloween night to tell her he had been shot. Albany Police Department Police Chief Michael J. Persley noted during a November 2 news conference that the mother did not immediately search for him, creating a timeline that investigators are continuing to unpack.

When Payne failed to return home on the night of October 31, his mother began searching for him. She used a phone tracking application to locate his device at an abandoned apartment located at 810 Cameo Lane, Apartment B, where she ultimately discovered her son unresponsive on the morning of November 1.

Following an investigation, surveillance footage review, and witness interviews, authorities identified four suspects. The individuals charged in the case are 22-year-old Detravion Parker, alongside three juveniles: 15-year-olds Jansquincey Donaldson and Omari Marion, and 16-year-old Adarious Wallace.

All four suspects were arrested and booked into the Dougherty County Jail. Jail records show that Parker is being held without bond while awaiting arraignment. He faces six charges, including two counts of murder, malice murder, felony murder, first-degree burglary, and possession of a firearm, while the three teenagers also face murder charges.

Witnesses told investigators that armed individuals had approached a group walking with Payne on the night of October 31, demanding their belongings before opening fire. Police believe Payne may have been specifically targeted in an attempted robbery because he had recently posted a handgun on social media.

As the investigation remains ongoing, the Albany Police Department has urged anyone with additional information to contact investigators. Meanwhile, Payne's family has organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses, as relatives cope with the sudden loss.