Waycross father, son charged with Malice Murder and Murder of Guess
BLACKSHEAR — A father-son duo from Waycross have been arrested in the October 17, 2024 murder of Kimberly Guess of Blackshear.
Tracy Lee Bryant, Sr., 53, and Tracy Lee Bryant, Jr., 30, both of Waycross, have been charged with Malice Murder and felony Murder in connection with Guess’s death.
This was the first murder in Blackshear in more than five years.
Blackshear Police Chief Chris Wright said his investigators and officers have worked tirelessly to solve the murder.
“There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by since October 17 that we haven’t been working to solve this case,” said Wright. Wright declined additional comment citing the ongoing investigation.
Warrants in the case said Bryant Sr., shot Guess multiple times between 55:30 a.m., the morning of Thursday, October 17. According to the warrants, Bryant Jr., “intentionally aided and abetted” his father in the murder. The murder warrants were served to the Bryants at the Ware County Jail Thursday evening, December 12. Both men were already in custody on drug charges related to the murder investigation prior to the current charges.
Bryant Sr., was Guess’s supervisor at her job at Clayton Homes in Waycross. The pair had also been romantically involved, but Guess had recently broken off the relationship.
The Blackshear Police Department confirmed the two started dating and then broke up during their time working together at Clayton Homes.
Guess, 34, was murdered in front of her home in the 800 block of Ware Street as she walked out to her car.
Guess’s family issued their thanks to the Blackshear Police Department for their work and also thanked the community for their prayers and support.
Bryant, Sr.
Bryant, Jr.
“We appreciate Chief Wright and Detectives Robbie Gill and Robby Boatright and we are thankful for them,” said Ricky Thornton, Guess’s brother. “We are happy to have them (Bryants) off the street and to not hurt anyone else.”
Kimberly’s mother, Shirley Lee, said the family always suspected it was Tracy Bryant, Sr. who killed her daughter, but they were stunned to learn police said his son was also involved.
“This is just terrible,” said Lee. “I hope they get what is coming to them. I want the death penalty, he shot my daughter cold-blooded, and he planned it.”
Lee said her daughter told her the elder Bryant had been stalking her for weeks before police say he shot her.
“She told him the Tuesday before she died that she wanted him to leave her alone and to stop stalking he,” said Lee. “He didn’t understand that, and then, that Thursday morning happened.”
