The community of Bryan County is mourning the tragic loss of a married couple who were found fatally shot inside their home Sunday evening. Authorities identified the victims as Kenneth C. “Craig” Lanier and Rhonda Lanier. The couple was discovered dead inside their residence in Nevils on March 8, 2026, after deputies tracked a suspect connected to a stolen vehicle who later died by suicide during a police pursuit.
According to investigators, the situation began around 4 p.m. when the suspect, identified as Anthony Andrea Forney, approached a man who had stopped to assist a motorist believed to be out of gas. Authorities say Forney allegedly entered the man’s truck and drove away, taking the vehicle without permission. The truck’s owner later used a GPS tracking system to follow the stolen vehicle, which helped law enforcement trace its movements.
Deputies soon located the vehicle near Ash Branch Church Road. Officers from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol spotted Forney driving a gray Toyota Camry at a high rate of speed. Authorities attempted to stop the vehicle, which led to a pursuit along the roadway.
During the chase, officials said the Camry’s brake lights suddenly activated before the vehicle swerved off the road and overturned in a ditch. When officers approached the wrecked car, they discovered that Forney had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the vehicle. Investigators later confirmed that the stolen truck connected to the earlier incident was found at a nearby residence.
Deputies then approached the home linked to the suspect and made the tragic discovery of Craig and Rhonda Lanier inside. Authorities determined the couple had been fatally shot. Roads in the area, including those near Ash Branch Road, were temporarily closed as investigators processed the scene and gathered evidence.
Mark D. Crowe, sheriff of the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. He said the community’s hearts are heavy and offered prayers for the Lanier family during their time of grief. Friends and neighbors described Craig and Rhonda Lanier as kind, caring people who were devoted to their family and community. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events that led to the heartbreaking loss that has left the entire Nevils community in mourning.
