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78-year-old man accused of hiding Lumpkin County woman's body arrested

Man arrested in connection to 21-year-old Dahlonega woman's murder

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — A man who authorities considered a "person of interest" in a 21-year-old Dahlonega woman's death has been arrested.

Jerry Harper, 78, was wanted in connection to the death of Hannah Bender. He was wanted on charges of concealing a dead body and tampering with evidence, the GBI said.

Harper was arrested in Dawson County Friday after police spotted him in his vehicle.

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Police believe Austin Stryker, 22, killed Bender and buried her in a shallow grave in Forsyth County. It's unclear what the relationship is between Stryker and Harper.

Bender had been missing for over a week when her body was found Sept. 26. 

Stryker has not been caught. U.S. Marshals have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to Stryker. He was last seen driving a white 2000 Ford Explorer with Georgia tag PXH4402. Police said Stryker should be considered armed and dangerous.

An autopsy will be done to determine Bender's cause of death.