Effingham community awaits answers on couple's death

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Paul and Jennifer Budraywich

Benjamin Mullinax (Source: Dawson County Sheriff's Department)

Jesse James Kilgore (Source: Dawson County Sheriff's Department)

By Michelle Paynter - bio | email

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, GA (WTOC) - The bodies of a husband and wife from Effingham County were found dumped in the Amicacola River. Searchers found Paul Budraywich's body Monday and they found the body of his wife, Jennifer, Sunday. See Bodies of missing Effingham couple found.

Investigators say the Budraywich's left their home on McCall Road over the weekend and were headed to Dawsonville, GA. About an hour before they were suppose to arrive to their family's home, they were murdered.

Neighbors learned about tragedy Monday morning.

"I was sad, upset, everybody was, my girlfriend, everybody," said neighbor Ricky Davis.

Jennifer leaves behind three young sons.

"She loved her kids, she did, it's sad what happened," said Davis.

Jennifer worked at the Burger King in Springfield. Her co-workers say she was a sweet girl, someone they will really miss.

Dawson County Sheriff's deputies arrested two men in connection with murder of the Budrawich's.

Jennifer's step father, Jesse James Kilgore, was charged with both murders. He is also the father of one of Jennifer's boys.

"We believe both were killed in the same location and dumped in the river, since there's been a lot of rain and swift water they floated down the river," said Lt. Tony Wooten, Dawson County Sheriff's Department.

Searches found their bodies about 500 yards apart.

Deputies have also charged Kilgore's nephew, Benjamin Mullinax, with tampering with evidence. They say he took the couple's car and ditched it at a strip mall parking lot.

But the question is: Why?

"At this point it's just too early for us to get into motive," said Lt. Wooten.

It's a crime that has the Effingham County community stunned and waiting for answers.