Zinkhan's Body Claimed; Murder Suspect to be Cremated

The family of murder suspect and former University of Georgia professor George Zinkhan, who police say gunned down three people late last month, claimed his body today. Zinkhan was discovered dead of a self inflicted gun shot wound on May 9.

Zinkhan, whose body had been housed at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation medical examiner's office in Decatur since his discovery, will reportedly be cremated.

Zinkhan is accused of killing his wife, Marie Bruce, Tom Tanner and Ben Teague back on April 25 not far from the UGA campus. Zinkhan and Bruce were reportedly in the middle of a divorce at the time of the shootings.

Police: Zinkhan Dug Own Grave, Committed Suicide

Authorities on Tuesday confirmed rumors that George Zinkhan, the former UGA professor accused of killing his wife and two others last month, dug his own grave and then shot himself.

Zinkhan, 57, died of a single gunshot to the head, according to Athens-Clarke County Police.

Authorities also said that Zinkhan had been dead from 5 to 14 days when his body was discovered in a shallow grave last weekend not far from his home. His abandoned Jeep had been discovered not far from the body prior to that.

Zinkhan is accused of killing his wife, Marie Bruce, 47, Tom Tanner, 40, and Ben Teague, 63, on April 25 not far from the UGA campus at the Athens Community Theater.

At the time of the shootings, Zinkhan and Bruce had been involved in a marital dispute.

UPDATE: AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THEY DISCOVERED ZINKHAN'S BODY

Authorities discovered a body Saturday that was buried some 1.3 miles from where murder suspect George Zinkhan's Jeep was discovered last week. According to reports, police believe the body is that of Zinkhan's, who was wanted in the murder of three people, including his wife.

Initial reports are that Zinkhan had likely dug his own grave and then shot himself in the head in an area off of Cleveland Road. The body of the former University of Georgia professior was sent to the GBI State Crime Lab for confirmation.

It was two Saturday's ago that Zinkhan allegedly gunned down his wife, Marie Bruce, and two other individuals just off the UGA campus in Athens. Zinkhan and his wife were reportedly in the middle of a divorce.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Police Locate Zinkhan Passport; No Sign of Murder Suspect

While the search for murder suspect George Zinkhan continues, police reported Monday that they discovered the University of Georgia professor's passport inside his located SUV. The SUV was pulled out of a ravine not far from his Bogart home on Friday morning.

Zinkhan, suspected of killing his wife and two others a week ago Saturday not far from the Athens campus, did not show up at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for a scheduled flight to Amsterdam on Saturday.

The FBI said that Zinkhan had a Delta Air Lines flight Saturday to Amsterdam, where he has a home in the Netherlands.

Zinkhan's Jeep Discovered Not Far From His Home

The red Jeep of murder suspect George Zinkhan was discovered overnight in a heavily wooded area in close proximity to the intersection of Cleveland Road and Fowler Mill Drive.

According to an FBI spokesperson, the Jeep was discovered in a ravine by tracking a brief signal transmitted by one of Zinkhan’s phones.

Authorities are still looking for Zinkhan, who is the prime suspect in the shooting deaths of his wife and two other individuals last Saturday near the University of Georgia campus in Athens.

According to a release on the UGA's Web site:

Friday, May 1, 20098:08 a.m. Overnight in northwestern Clarke County, Athens-Clarke police located the vehicle belonging to George Zinkhan, the former UGA professor wanted in the killing of three people.

Until he is located by police, please continue to use caution. Do not call 911 or the UGA Police unless there is an emergency or you have sighted George Zinkhan.

Updated information will be posted here on uga.edu.

Appalachian Trail Web Site Warns Hikers of Zinkhan

The Appalachian Trail Web site (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/) has put out a warning for hikers to be on the lookout for triple murder suspect George Zinkhan.

Zinkhan is wanted by police for questioning in the murders of three individuals in Athens, Georgia on April 25, including his wife.

Zinkhan was last seen driving a red Jeep Liberty and he may be in possession of a firearm. Police are unsure of his whereabouts but say that Zinkhan is an avid hiker and has spent time on the Appalachian Trail in the past.

A wanted poster (PDF download) has been provided by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Zinkhan is 57 years of age, 6' 3", 240 pounds. He was last seen driving a 2005 red Jeep Liberty with Georgia tags (AIX1376).

If you locate Zinkhan or his vehicle, do not contact him, dial 911. Any other information can be forwarded to Ranger Eric Barron of the Appalachian Trail Park Office at (301) 639-0167.

UPDATE: Search for UGA Professor Continues

The search for a University of Georgia professor who is the prime suspect in the shooting deaths of three people last weekend in Athens is focusing on a purchased plane ticket.

According to authorities, George Zinkhan, 57, who allegedly gunned down his wife and two men off campus last Saturday, has a Delta Air Lines plane ticket in his name for this Saturday to fly to the Netherlands. Zinkhan reportedly left behind an empty passport wallet.

Zinkhan is alleged to have killed his wife, 47-year-old attorney Marie Bruce, and two members of her theater group, Ben Teague, 63, and Tom Tanner, 40. Zinkhan disappeared after the shootings in a red Jeep Liberty with Georgia plates.

The shooting victims were members of the Town & Gown Players, which was staging a showing of "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" at the theater. Members of the group were gathered for a reunion Saturday at the time of the shooting.

University officials noted on Monday that Zinkhan has been fired from his job as a marketing professor.

Where is UGA Professor George Zinkhan?

Police locally and nationwide continue in their efforts to find University of Georgia professor George Zinkhan, who allegedly gunned down three people, including his wife, Saturday in Athens.

According to police, Zinkhan, who is an endowed marketing professor at the school's Terry College of Business, has relatives in Texas and owns a home in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A nationwide lookout was issued for the red 2005 Jeep Liberty Zinkhan was driving when he was last seen following the shootings Saturday.

Zinkhan allegedly killed Marie Bruce, 47, Zinkhan's wife and a prominent Athens attorney; Tom Tanner, 40; and Ben Teague, 63.

The victims were all associated with the Town and Gown Players, a theater group that was holding a reunion picnic Saturday off campus when Zinkhan allegedly killed the three.

According to Athens police, Zinkhan was not at the Town and Gown event originally but showed up and got into "a disagreement" with his wife. He left the scene -- police believe to return to his car, where the couple's children apparently were waiting -- and returned with two handguns.

Following the shooting, Zinkhan departed the scene with his children, ages 8 and 10, still in the car, according to police. He drove the kids to a neighbor's home in nearby Bogart, where he lived, and left the children there.

UPDATE: Manhunt On-going for UGA Professor

The search continues locally and nationwide for a University of Georgia professor accused of killing three individuals at an off-campus location, including his wife.

According to authorities, George Zinkhan, 57, allegedly shot to death Tom Tanner, 40; Marie Bruce, 47, an Athens attorney and Zinkhan's wife, who also served as president of Town and Gown Players; and Ben Teague, 63.

The three were killed on Saturday at a community theatre located behind The Taylor Grady House.

Authorities were keeping an eye on airports in case Zinkhan tried to head to Amsterdam, where he owns a residence, or Austin, Texas, where he reportedly has relatives.

Search Continues for UGA Professor in Shootings

Police nationwide continue their search for a University of Georgia professor who allegedly shot and killed three other adults, including his wife, Saturday afternoon at an off-campus locale.

According to Athens police, professor George Zinkhan (pictured), 56, is a suspect in the shooting deaths of Tom Tanner, 40; Marie Bruce, 47, an Athens attorney and Zinkhan's wife, who also served as president of Town and Gown Players; and Ben Teague, 63.

The victims were shot around noon at a community theatre behind The Taylor-Grady House in the 600 block of Prince Ave.

Zinkhan was reportedly driving a 2005 red Jeep Liberty, with Georgia tag No. AIX 1376.

"The University community is shocked and saddened at this tragic event," University of Georgia President Michael Adams, said in a written statement. "Our first thoughts are for safety of the university community and for prompt apprehension of the person responsible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those who have been affected."