Fayetteville man accused of killing neighbor

A Fayetteville man faces a murder charge after police discovered his neighbor’s body Friday evening in the eastern part of the city.

The body of 63-year-old Mimi Perry was found near Bay Branch Boulevard off Ga. 54, Fayetteville police said. Investigators determined the death was a homicide and detectives with the police department and the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office spent the weekend tracking down leads, authorities said.

The investigation led to Monday’s arrest of 39-year-old Shanard Rease, who is charged with the murder and aggravated assault of his neighbor, a police spokeswoman said.

Police declined to say how Rease allegedly killed Perry, citing an ongoing investigation and their efforts to “preserve the prosecutorial integrity” of the case.

Rease has spent two stints in prison since 1999, totaling about 13 years behind bars, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records. He was last released from prison in March 2018 after an aggravated assault conviction in Putnam County.

Police confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that he was out of prison on parole during the time of the homicide.