Suspect wanted in Attempted Murder investigation

Authorities in a neighboring county are seeking a suspect who was involved in an attempted murder case and believes the individual held responsible could be hiding in Rabun County, amongst other close locations.

According to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, on Sept. 8 deputies responded to Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee, Georgia in reference to a male subject who was brought to the hospital with a bullet wound to the chest.

The victim was identified as William Craig Henderson of Young Harris. Henderson was air-lifted from Chatuge Regional Hospital to another medical facility with a trauma center and as of Tuesday, Sept. 18, he remains in stable condition.

Towns County Sheriff’s detectives were called to the hospital to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident. Upon investigating the incident, detectives identified and secured warrants for Crystal LeAnn Carter, age 37, of Hiawassee for one count of criminal attempt to commit murder and one count of aggravated assault.

According to law enforcement, after dropping Henderson off at the local hospital, Carter drove off in the victim’s Chevrolet Tahoe. A BOLO was placed on the Tahoe and the suspect.

The vehicle was found abandoned later Saturday night in the parking lot of the Marathon station on Highway 75 North in Hiawassee. Sheriff’s detectives determined that Carter left the Marathon station in her own red Ford pickup.

The suspect, Crystal LeAnn Carter, is considered armed and dangerous. She is believed to be in or around Towns County, Rabun County or possibly Hayesville, North Carolina areas.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Crystal LeAnn Carter is encouraged to call Towns County 911 or Towns County Sheriff’s Office at 706-896-4444.