The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the November 2010 murder of Harrison Wayne Olliff.

The 21-year-old was last seen at his home the morning after Thanksgiving. Weeks later, his body was found near his truck in a Candler County field.

Micah Ward, special agent-in-charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Statesboro office, said few details are being released about the case since the investigation is ongoing.  The GBI, Bulloch County Sheriff’s investigators and the Candler County Sheriff’s Department have been working together since Olliff’s disappearance to solve the case.

Tuesday, the victim’s parents Linda and Wayne Olliff met with law enforcement and the media at the Bulloch County Central 911 Office to announce the reward and urge citizens who may know something, even the slightest bit of information, to step forward.

As several photographs of their son were arranged before them, the Olliffs talked about the night they last saw Harrison and how they feel about his murder.

Investigators have not disclosed how Olliff was killed, but have ruled it homicide.

Linda Olliff said she understands that such investigations take time, but hopes someone will come forward with information.

“I know it hasn’t been forgotten,” she said, referring to the months-old case that has not yielded any public information. “I talk to the GBI and sheriff’s office every week. I know they’re working on it.”
As she spoke, husband Wayne Olliff sat silently beside her. Even after over eight months since their son disappeared and was later found dead, the grief is still fresh on their faces.

Linda Olliff talked about Harrison and his girlfriend spending Thanksgiving Day with them, and how he also shared a meal with them later that night.

He and his girlfriend mentioned shopping the next day, she said.

But, after a long, busy day, the Olliffs and Harrison’s girlfriend questioned each other about his whereabouts and realized none had seen him since very early that morning.

“We talked to him every day,” she said. When everyone realized no one had seen Harrison that day, “we knew something was wrong.”

When asked what she would like to say to anyone with information about her son’s murder, Linda Olliff begged “Please call and give the information to them. Any information will be appreciated. We love our son very much. Please call.”

Her son loved video games, skateboarding and “would give the shirt off his back,” she said. “They have to understand when they took my son’s life, they took everything. He was an only child. Please help us find out who did this – he doesn’t deserve this.”

Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson said he is confident there is someone withholding information about this case and hopes the reward will motivate them to talk.

“We know there is a person or persons who were there that night who need to step forward,” he said. All calls with information will be kept confidential – callers won’t have to be concerned about their identities being revealed, he said.

“This is a solvable case,” said Ward, who would not discuss whether the GBI has any leads or suspects. “Just a couple pieces of the puzzle are missing. Any information, no matter how large or small it may be, they need to call it in. We’re missing a couple of critical parts, and as soon as we get them, we’re going to move forward and make an arrest.”

“We’re not going to give up,” Anderson said, adding he talks to the Olliffs several times a month and questions his investigators continuously about possible leads and information.

“This will not be closure for Wayne and Linda if we solve this, but it will help,” he said. “This is for them.”

Harrison Olliff left early the Friday after Thanksgiving, telling a friend he may be headed to Cobbtown. His body was discovered several days later near his silver pickup truck in a field near Excelsior.

Anyone with information is asked to contact GBI Special Agent Barry Thompson at (912) 871-1121 or Bulloch County Sheriff’s Inv. Jared Akins at (912) 764-1789.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.