Hill evidence stuns community; Note reveals abusive relationship

Published 11:26 am Wednesday, December 7, 2005

angie.thompson@gaflnews.com



TIFTON — Evidence released to the public Friday in a courtroom where there was no trial revealed that Joy Hill was shot six times by her husband Bobby before he turned the .45-caliber semi-automatic weapon to deliver his own fatal shot.

Notes found at the scene revealed a troubled relationship that surprised many in the community.

Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell told a packed courtroom at the Tift County Law Enforcement Complex Friday morning that rumors and information “began to spread throughout the community like wildfire” when the Hills’ bodies were found at their Tifton-Eldorado Road home Tuesday morning.

Vowell was joined at the press conference by District Attorney Paul Bowden, sheriff’s department investigators and GBI agents. Bowden said that Joy Hill, 49, who was wearing “bed clothing”, was found sitting in her chair with obvious multiple gunshot wounds. Bobby Hill was lying on the floor, face up and fully dressed in his sock feet.

“On the table was a cigar and a wallet belonging to Mr. Hill that contained over $1,000,” said Bowden. “Mrs. Hill’s pocketbook was found on the floor next to her. That also contained money and some valuables.”

Vowell said Tuesday afternoon that no valuables were missing from the Hills’ home, there was no evidence of forced entry and investigators did not believe robbery was a motive.

Bowden said evidence, such as notations of the trajectory of bullets that struck the wall, the position of Bobby Hill’s body, and the fact that the gun was found on the chair, “gave the appearance he was shot in that position and fell back.”

Investigators also found a .22-caliber handgun in Hill’s back pants pocket.

Bowden emphasized the fact that no agency investigating the killings had received official autopsy, toxicology or ballistics reports from examiners at the GBI Crime Lab in Moultrie. All seven of the shell casings and spent bullets were recovered.

“We don’t have comparisons of fingerprints,” Bowden said.

Bowden said investigators who processed the scene believe that a print lifted from the Colt .45 will be identifiable.

Bowden said the crime lab was unable to establish the sequence of the gunshot wounds to Joy Hill’s body.

“We are just describing in a manner starting at the top of the head and going from that point,” said Bowden.

Bowden said she was shot once in the left side of the head.

“That would have been a fatal wound and was a contact wound, which means that the gun was placed against her head,” said Bowden.

Bowden went on to describe how Joy Hill was shot once in the face by a bullet that struck her lip and then traveled through her mouth, causing massive injuries to her brain.

“That shot would have been fired from more than two feet away,” said Bowden.

The bullet that entered her neck, Bowden said, damaged the structure of the neck and her spinal cord. Bowden said that at the time of this injury, Joy Hill’s blood pressure was very low. Pathologists indicated to Bowden that the shot to the neck was fired from approximately 22 inches away.

“There were two wounds to her lower right abdomen, one just above the other that exited the right hip and fractured the right hip bone,” said Bowden.

A flesh wound was found on her right arm.

Bobby Hill died from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the right side of his head.

Bowden said the crime lab was unable to give an exact time of death for either Hill, but believed there was not an extended period of time between their deaths.

Vowell, Joy Hill’s cousin, recounted how he had told the family and media Tuesday that one of the Hills died of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing the other.

“I have heard talk that we have been criticized maybe for the way we have released some of this information,” said Vowell. “Under the conditions and circumstances, I don’t have any apologies for the way I have handled this. I handled this investigation, I think, to the best of my ability.”

Vowell said he delayed releasing additiona





l details because his investigators, a GBI agent and the district attorney’s investigator had not been able to get together until Friday morning to compare information and discuss what could be released.

“We were waiting on a call from the crime lab to discuss some things with them and we have talked to the crime lab,” said Vowell. “That brings us to this point this morning.”

Members of Joy Hill’s family gasped and cried when Bowden read the note she left behind.

Bowden said the note found in Joy Hill’s pocketbook in a small note pad was dated May 29.

“It reads, ‘I am tired of Bobby being drunk every night for the past 10 years and abusing me because of my family, the business or whatever he decides to fuss about. I have tried to hold it together, save everything, but I have had all I can take. I am sorry for everyone I love and those who I think love me. But I have had all that I can take. If he doesn’t kill me first, I think I will have to kill myself,'” read Bowden.

Bowden said the note was accompanied by jewelry and personal items and instructions on who she wanted to have those belongings.

Bowden also read Bobby Hill’s note, which stated, “I cannot spell too good. Cremate me and when Manxy (who is the family cat) goes, sprinkle us together on the land behind the house.”

Capt. Bobby Brannen, a 27-year veteran of the sheriff’s criminal investigation unit, said he knew the Hills for over 20 years and never had seen any signs of trouble between the two.

“These notes that have been found and described by Mr. Bowden told a story that I knew nothing about,” said Brannen.

Brannen said the Hills were supporters of Grace Baptist Christian School where he serves as a school board member and there were ample opportunities for Joy Hill to talk with him or someone else “if she was terrified about some problem between them.”

“We had conversations when Mr. Hill wasn’t present. We spoke on the telephone and I am just not aware of any of this and certainly have seen no reports or complaints from her about him.”

After the press conference, Joy Hill’s sister Carol McCurdy talked to the media.

“We all loved her,” said McCurdy. “This community will miss her a lot. She did a lot for her nieces and nephews on both sides. She will be missed.”

Joy Hill’s brother Toby Carmichael said that it is a loss but that the family will support each other and go forward.

Joy Hill’s brother Tom expressed his appreciation to law enforcement for handling the investigation “in a professional manner.”



To contact reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321, ext. 208.