Quitman man charged with murder related to Easter house fire

17-year-old Dere’on Mitchell of Quitman has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to an April 5 house fire.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, warrants for Mitchell’s arrest were taken out on May 12. Mitchell, who was already in custody at the Brooks County Jail on other charges related to this case—including theft by taking a motor vehicle and two counts of possession of a handgun by a person under the age of 18—is now being charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Additional charges are expected, the GBI says. 

At approximately 11 a.m. Easter morning, the Brooks County Fire Department responded to reports of a residential fire on Hickory Head Road. Once the fire was under control and salvage and overhaul operations began, fire personnel located the body of Datravion Williams, 21, inside the home. 

This is a joint investigation with the BCSO and Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire.