Marcos Suárez Ramirez, a 54-year-old Hispanic man and long-time resident of Hazlehurst, Georgia, was killed on the evening of January 4, 2021. Born in Jalpan de Sierra Querétaro, Mexico, he had lived in Hazlehurst for about 30 years, worked at Telfair Forest Products, and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The killing occurred at his daughter Brittany’s home on Mark Hall Drive when three masked, armed men attempted to rob him, apparently believing he had a large amount of cash. A struggle at the door ended when Kegan B. Bennett fired a fatal shotgun blast. Investigators recovered shell casings from a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a revolver, indicating multiple weapons were fired.

Authorities identified Douglas L. Wooten, 41, his son Denver L. Wooten, 19, Kegan B. Bennett, 40, and Verlyttia Raiford, 33, as co-defendants. Evidence reported includes confessions and recovered firearms, cell phones, zip ties, and clothing linking them to the attack. In May 2022 the four accepted plea deals: Douglas Wooten, Denver Wooten, and Bennett pleaded guilty to felony murder; Raiford pleaded guilty to armed robbery; Denver Wooten also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of Brittany Ramirez, who was present.

Did anyone in Hazlehurst know Marcos or have information about the people involved that could add context to what happened?