Jose Garcia-Flores, 29, of Gainesville may be connected to the murder victim, although police are not calling him a suspect in the death. (Photo from Gainesville PD)
GAINESVILLE - Gainesville Police Cpl. Kevin Holbrook said Sunday evening authorities still are not releasing the name of a man found murdered at a motel on Jesse Jewell Parkway Saturday afternoon. Investigators also are not saying how the victim was killed, but Holbrook said investigators are asking for help finding a man possibly connected with the case.<br />
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"We are currently looking for an individual who is a known associate to the deceased victim. He is Jose Garcia-Flores, 29 years of age, from the Gainesville area," said Holbrook.<br />
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He would not say if Garcia-Flores was a suspect in the case or how he and the victim knew each other.<br />
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"Our main reasoning for locating him is to check his current welfare," said Holbrook.<br />
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As of Sunday night, the back side of the Sun Suites Extended Stay Motel remained cordoned off to traffic and a Gainesville Police patrol car was stationed at the scene. Holbrook said the area likely would stay off limits through the day Monday.<br />
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"We want to ensure that we collect and preserve any and all evidence and/or any and all items that may become of evidentiary purposes," said Holbrook.<br />
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He did not know if any motel guests had to be moved to other rooms to accommodate the ongoing investigation.<br />
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As far as the victim's identity is concerned, Holbrook said they are still trying to contact next of kin before releasing a name. Holbrook would not confirm the manner of death, either, despite reports from Atlanta media claiming the victim had been dismembered.<br />
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"As far as any specifics related to this case, we are not releasing any details - nothing as far as any type of cause, manner of death," said Holbrook. "It's important that we keep the specifics of this case quiet as to not hinder the ongoing investigation.<br />
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Holbrook said while Gainesville PD is the lead agency in the investigation, officers are getting assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Hall County Sheriff's Office.<br />
