Gwinnett Daily Post

HOSCHTON - Gov. Sonny Perdue has pledged $4,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved in the slaying of four family members in Hoschton.

Perdue's contribution brings the total reward to $14,000, underscoring the importance of the first homicide investigation in Hoschton in more than a decade. Hoschton Chief of Police Dave Hill said the reward is the largest ever offered in the town.

"That money is out there to show how important this case is to us," he said.

Hill had requested the money from Perdue on June 1, two days after the victims were found dead.

In addition, authorities confirmed that Henry Lee Stringer, who was struck by a train in Buford on June 5, is the father of two of

the victims.

Stringer, 33, was placed on life support after he was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta last week, but it is unclear whether he is still a patient there. According to a police report, he was walking on railroad tracks near the intersection of South Waterworks Road and Buford Dam Road when he was hit and dragged about 200 ft. before the train was able to stop.

Stringer's children - J'Majiuan Stringer, 4, and J'Lasia Stringer, 2 - were found dead alongside their mother and grandmother - Marvelette Strickland, 29, and Evelyn Strickland, 68 - on May 30 after a fire broke out at their house in Hoschton.

Authorities have not revealed the exact cause of death or whether the victims died before the fire. But Glenn Allen, spokesperson for Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, said the fire was intentionally set to cover up the

slayings.

GBI Special Agent in Charge Fred Stephens said investigators are pursuing leads they have received through a tip line in a "methodical, deliberate fashion."

"We are getting some valuable information specifically involving this case," he said. "We're moving in what we feel is a positive manner."

Authorities have still not named any suspects in the case. Hill said they are looking for a black man between the ages of 25 and 35 who was spotted leaving a gas station on Ga. Highway 53 in Winder wearing dark colored clothing and blue jeans.

Hill said investigators are growing tired as they pursue more than 150 leads but said they remain undaunted.

"They're kept focused by the horrendous act was done," he said. "We're going to keep our focus until we find out who did this and what happened."