Landlord Charged With Concealing Death Of Tenant: Sheriff

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — A Dallas man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a woman who rented a room from him, according to the Paulding County Sheriff's Office.

Paulding Sheriff's detectives are conducting an investigation into the death of Patricia Seabolt, 66, who was found dead in her home after friends and family were unable to get in touch with her for several days. Deputies went to check on her at her Colbert Road home Oct. 11, and discovered that she'd been dead "for some time."

Seabolt was renting a room from homeowner Brian Justin Barden, 39, who later arrived at the home and was interviewed by detectives. Based on their investigation, he was arrested and charged with concealing the death of another person, as well as possession of methamphetamine.

Seabolt's body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's crime lab in Atlanta for an autopsy. More charges could be pending once the manner and cause of death are determined by forensic pathologists, the sheriff's office said.

Barden is being housed in the Paulding County Jail and has a $5,700 bond. Detectives ask anyone with information about the case to call the Criminal Investigations Tip Line at 770-443-3047 or download the free Paulding Sheriff mobile app and send in a tip.