Talladega, AL – The family of an east Alabama teenager found dead in Georgia questions whether his death was a suicide and is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for his death.
17-year-old Benjamin Stanford of Talladega disappeared November 5th. His body was found 8 days later off Interstate 20 in Villa Rica, Georgia. A preliminary report from the Carroll County coroner said the high school senior died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.
Stanford is the grandson of Democratic state Senator Jim Preuitt of Talladega.
Stanford's father, Bill Stanford, said the family decided to post the reward to get more answers.
Bill Stanford said he's concerned that searchers never found his son's cell phone, billfold and car keys. He's also concerned that his son was shot behind the ear, which would be an awkward position for placing a gun in a suicide.
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