Family of metro Atlanta couple killed in Telfair County reflect on man’s conviction in their deaths

MCRAE-HELENA, Ga. (WPGA) - Ronnie Adrian “Jay” Towns pleaded guilty to two counts of life in prison without parole for the 2015 murders of Bud and June Runion.

In 2015, Bud and June Runion drove from Marietta, which is in Cobb County in metro Atlanta, to Telfair County to answer a car-for-sale ad on Craigslist.

Towns, who took out that ad, was charged in connection to their deaths.

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The Runions, who were from Marietta, were robbed and shot to death before their bodies were found off a Telfair County road in January 2015.

“You are sentenced on count one malice murder to life without the possibility of parole. You will spend the balance of your life with the Department of Corrections. As to count five malice murder, you have been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole,” said Judge Sarah Wall.

Runion’s family came to court feeling grief and grace, showing forgiveness.

“It is our hope that Towns will repent and humble himself and receive that which is available in Jesus Christ,” said Stephanie Bishop, Bud’s daughter and June’s step-daughter.

“When Jesus was on the cross dying in front of killers he said, ‘Father, forgive them.’ If my savior can do that and I can not, who am I to call myself one of his followers,” said Amanda Carr, granddaughter of Bud and June Runion.

District Attorney Tim Vaughn said an end to this case was not always in sight.

“Never got any indication from him that, ‘Hey I want to plea guilty,’ until a couple of weeks ago we made an attempt at this that never materialized,” said Vaughn. “The last couple of years we have launched wholeheartedly into getting this thing to a conclusion.”

The couple is remembered most for their love of life and each other.

“He loved just to laugh and to have fun. He always liked classic cars we used to go to car shows as kids,’ said Brittany Patterson, the Runions’ daughter.

“She was the perfect compliment to Dad. She was loving and supportive,” said Bishop.