Dalton man charged with murder | Local news

A Dalton man is charged with the murder of a 50-year-old woman.

On Wednesday, the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office was asked to conduct a welfare check on a woman found lying under a bridge on Willowdale Road at the Crow Valley Road intersection. An officer found a dead woman next to the train tracks.

The woman was identified as Luz Divina Ramirez, a homeless woman. Evidence at the scene shows that Ramirez was struck several times in the head and face with a large rock.

Investigators identified a suspect based on evidence at and near the crime scene. Fred Edward Sherman Jr., 54, of 1116 Willowdale Road NW-609, was interviewed and admitted to attacking Ramirez with a rock, causing her death. He was charged with murder. Additional charges are pending.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Sheriff's Office in the investigation.

Submitted by Sheriff Scott Chitwood.