Police search for man wanted in murder of Duluth father

DULUTH, Ga. — Police have identified a person of interest in the murder of a Duluth father.

Police said Robert Craig Sandman, 52, was spotted driving the victim's stolen vehicle. Channel 2 Action News discovered Sandman was released from prison one day before the murder.

A week later, neighbors on Montheath Pass are still reeling from the loss of a well-liked and respected neighbor.

"He was the best neighbor ever," Heather Owen told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh. "He was great. Any time you ever needed him, he was there."

"He'd help anybody out. He'd do anything for you," Greg Owen said.

Duluth police opened the homicide investigation last Thursday after family members found Donald Singer, 57, dead in his garage. Police said his body was wrapped in blankets and likely had been there for days.

"I'm just pretty much in shock that this happened," neighbor Richard Morris said.

This week, the investigation took a bizarre twist. Not only was Sandman reportedly spotted driving the stolen red Porsche 944, Kavanaugh also discovered that he already did prison time for stalking another neighbor on this same street.

The people who saw him in the vehicle were in northwest Georgia. Police are still looking for Sandman and the stolen car.

But police feel like they just put Sandman away. They arrested him in March 2012 after he was accused of breaking into an ex-girlfriend's home. He pleaded guilty to aggravated stalking and was sentenced to 10 years.

The Georgia Department of Corrections said he only had to serve one year of the sentence behind bars.

He was released March 22. Police believe Singer was killed March 23 or 24.

Now, neighbors fear the worst if Sandman is charged with the crime.

"Got out a day and then did this. It's crazy how the system works," said Heather Owen.

Police have only issued a theft warrant for Sandman for the vehicle, but they want to speak with him about the death of Singer.

Kavanaugh discovered his criminal record dates back to the 1990s. The New Mexico Department of Corrections said he served nine years for second-degree murder.

Police said Sandman was spotted in the Gordon County area in northwest Georgia.

If you have any information, call 911 or the Duluth Police Department at 770-476-4151.

WSBTV