After almost 11 months of investigation, Statesboro Police arrested a man Wednesday they believe murdered his stepbrother and hid his body beneath a house.
    The body of Orlando Quentin Hamilton was found March 3, 2011, underneath a North College Street house when a man exploring the property came upon his skeletal remains. Wednesday, police detectives arrested Cortney Antwan Cooper, 24, Oak Street, as he was walking near his home. Cooper is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and concealment of a person’s death, said Statesboro Police Major Scott Brunson during a press conference Wednesday.
    When Hamilton’s remains were found, police did not know the victim’s identity. After reviewing missing persons cases and receiving information from an autopsy, detectives Keith Holloway and Sgt. James Winskey learned the remains were those of Hamilton, who had last been seen alive in Oct. 2007 on Denmark Street.
    Winskey and Holloway worked in conjunction with Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Daphne Jarriel for almost 11 months, gathering evidence leading to Cooper’s arrest, said Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner.
    He said input from the community through anonymous tips helped solve the crime.
    The murder appears to stem from a domestic issue, Brunson said. “There is no indication” that the homicide was linked to drug or other issues, he said.
    The case remains under investigation, and for that reason, details as to the cause of Hamilton’s death are not being release at this time, he said.
    “Winskey and Holloway did a tremendous job on this investigation, as well as ADA Daphne Jarriel,” he said. “We feel we have a solid case at this time.”
    Cooper was arrested at 11:15 a.m., and was being booked into the Bulloch County Jail at 2 p.m. while the press conference was being held at the Statesboro Police Department, Turner said. Cooper is being held without bond.
    Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Winskey or Holloway at (912) 764-9911.
   
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.