Austell Man Arrested, Charged with Murder

Cobb Police charged Thomas Sparks, 47 of Austell, with murder, aggravated assault and theft by taking on Sunday night as a result of a murder investigation.

Joseph Stahl, 71 of Austell, was found murdered in his home at 6415 Pisgah Road at 5:48 p.m. on Sunday by Precinct 2 officers and Cobb Fire and Emergency Services personnel who responded to a 911 call. According to Cobb police, the victim had suffered injuries from blunt force trauma.

At 9:50 p.m. on Sunday, Sparks was taken into custody by Fulton County Police in the victim's burgundy 1994 Honda Accord as he tried to leave the Skyway Inn Suites Hotel at 4430 Frederick Drive in Atlanta, police stated.

Sparks is being held in the county's adult detention center without bond. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Cobb Police at (770) 499-3945.