Veal arrested for homicide

According to Sheriff Mark Melton, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at approximately 4:00 a.m. the Appling County Sheriff’s Office and Appling County EMS were dispatched to a residence on Cindy Rae Lane in Baxley, GA. Upon arrival, deputies located a male that was confirmed deceased by EMS. The subject was later identified as sixty-three-year-old Clarence Steven Ayers of Baxley.
Appling County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, along with the Appling County Coroner’s Office, were notified and investigation revealed Ayers was the victim of a homicide. The Georgia State Patrol was requested to assist in locating a suspect who fled the scene. This person was apprehended and identified as forty-one-year-old Samuel David Veal and he is currently being held at the Appling County Detention Center. The victim, Mr. Ayers, will be taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab to assist in completing the investigation.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Sheriff Melton encourages anyone with information regarding this case or any other matter to please contact the Appling County Sheriff’s Office at (912)-367-8120. He would also like to thank his staff, Appling County EMS, and the Georgia State Patrol for their quick response.