Eric Kyle Hooper, 31, has been found guilty of murdering 40-year-old Lachancey Williams, a tradesman, and disposing of his body in a toolbox. The murder took place in Cherokee County, Alabama, but the body was dumped in Polk County, Georgia, along Esom Hill Road. Road workers discovered the body on March 15, 2022, wrapped in a tarp and stuffed into a black truck toolbox. Lachancey had been shot twice with a shotgun.
The body was identified through testing at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s crime lab. Investigators quickly learned that the murder happened across the state border in Alabama, but the body was transported to Georgia and left by the side of the road. Police were able to gather evidence and track down the suspect after interviewing witnesses. A fingerprint found on duct tape around the body’s tarp matched Hooper’s, which led to his arrest. Other eyewitness statements helped build the case against him.
The trial began with jury selection on January 13, 2025, and after presenting over 160 exhibits and several witnesses, the state rested its case on January 17. Hooper himself took the stand during the trial. On January 23, the jury returned a guilty verdict after hearing the closing arguments. Hooper now faces a life sentence, which will be decided at his sentencing hearing on February 7, 2025.
District Attorney Summer Summerford praised the efforts of the various agencies involved in the investigation. She highlighted that this conviction marked a significant milestone for Cherokee County, as there were no longer any pending intentional murder cases in the area—a rare occurrence. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office also expressed pride in the investigation, noting that it reflected the dedication of law enforcement officers working together to bring justice.
An obituary for Lachancey Williams described him as a generous and caring person who would give anything to help others. He was a fan of Alabama football and loved fishing, remembering him as a man who lived life with kindness and compassion.
