In a significant development, authorities have apprehended a Georgia man in connection with the rape and murder of a young woman that occurred more than 40 years ago.

Freddie Lee Granger Jr., aged 68, now faces charges including rape, malice murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of felony murder in relation to Sandra Kaye Davis’s tragic death, as reported by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

The case dates back to September 1, 1984, when the Waycross Police Department found the lifeless body of 22-year-old Davis beside a residence on Kollock Street in Waycross, Georgia.

Sandra Kaye Davis was just 22 years old when authorities with the Waycross Police Department discovered her body next to a home on Kollock Street in Waycross, Ga., Sept. 1, 1984, officials said. (GBI)

Investigators concluded that Davis had been strangled to death.

Following this grim discovery, local officials sought the assistance of the GBI to delve deeper into the investigation.

The case ran cold for several decades as authorities continued to investigate.

Freddie Lee Granger Jr., 68, was booked into the Ware County Jail on charges of one count of rape, malice murder, aggravated assault and two counts of felony murder in the death of Sandra Kaye Davis, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. (Google Maps)

Nearly 42 years later, DNA technology linked Granger to Davis’ alleged killing, officials said. 

Investigators with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation linked Freddie Lee Granger Jr. to Sandra Kaye Davis’ murder using DNA technology, according to officials. (Google Maps)

Granger was located and taken into custody March 31, according to GBI.

He was later booked into the Ware County Jail, authorities said. 

The Waycross Police Department, Ware County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Community Supervision and GBI’s Cold Case Unit assisted the GBI Regional Investigative Office in both the investigation and arrest of Granger.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities ask anyone with information to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office at 912-389-4103 or submit a tip online.