Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
THOMASTON, GEORGIA: Frederick Bernard Durham, 61, was arrested in Atlanta, on Saturday afternoon, October 21, and later charged with the murder of his girlfriend. The body of the victim, the 56-year-old Margaret Dubignon, was found stuffed in a suitcase in the closet of the Northside apartment the couple shared, on that very morning.
What led to Freddrick Durham’s arrest?
After speaking to Margaret Dubignon on Thursday, October 19, her relatives went to her apartment in Thomaston, Georgia, the next day, on Friday, but could not find her.
The Thomaston Police Department conducted a welfare check on Friday evening, October 20, noting that Durham, her live-in boyfriend, was not at the apartment and the vehicle registered under Dubignon’s name was also missing.
On October 21, Dubignon was officially reported missing, with her relatives reporting to TPD that both the couple and their vehicle were missing under strange and mysterious circumstances.
TPD responded to a missing persons report on Dubignon, also known as “Mellow Yellow,” at around 7.30 am on Saturday at Thomaston Gardens Apartments on West County Road, 100 kilometers south of Atlanta.
Family members had contacted police around 9 am the same day, stating that Dubignon’s body had been discovered in a large suitcase inside a closet in the apartment.
TPD, with assistance from the Upson County Sheriff’s Office, sprung into action by securing the scene, which reportedly had drawn a large crowd.
Shortly after TPD’s Criminal Investigations Division arrived, a “be-on-the-lookout” was broadcast for the vehicle and Durham, and the Flock camera system was used to track the suspect to an undisclosed area of Atlanta.
Within two hours, Atlanta Police units located the vehicle and took Frederick Durham into custody before 3 pm, on the same day of filing the report.
What happens to Freddrick Durham now?
While the crime scene was processed with the assistance of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, Durham was transported to TPD for questioning, Thomaston Police Chief Mike Richardson said.
As a result, Durham was charged with felony murder, concealing a death, tampering with evidence, and theft by taking a motor vehicle.
Upson County Coroner Craig Stubbs reported on Monday, October 23, that Dubignon’s cause of death will be determined once an autopsy is completed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Additional charges against Freddrick are possible due to new information that may be revealed in the victim's autopsy report.
Freddrick is being held without bail in the Upson County jail and does not yet have a lawyer who can speak for him.
Chief Richardson hailed the Flock camera system as “an amazing tool” that was instrumental in the speedy apprehension of Durham.
“This was a horrific crime and an extremely painful event, yet the family, in spite of their emotions, were incredibly composed, supportive, and cooperative throughout today’s investigation,” Chief Richardson said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
