A Tampa native was one of two victims murdered in Wadley, Georgia late Thursday night.  Several agencies are participating in the investigation.

According to information in the Augusta Chronicle on Friday, Melanie Troupe, 22, formerly of Tampa, and Corey Kemp are the victims.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested 30-year-old Willie James Kitchen Friday afternoon in Wadley and charged him with 2 counts of malice murder in connection with the 2 deaths. He may face additional charges.[private]

Officials are releasing limited details about the deaths.

According to news accounts, the 2 bodies were found in a house about midnight Thursday that had been set afire. The house belongs to Ms. Frankie May Oglesby, grandmother of Ms. Troupe. Kitchens was taken into custody from a home on the same street where the fire occurred (Barbara Street).

The daughter of Cedrick Troupe and Stephanie Staples, Melanie graduated from Jefferson High School and moved to Wadley to live with her grandmother, family members in Tampa said. Ms. Troupe is the mother of a 2-year-old son, Malachi.

Funeral services in Tampa are planned for later this week with Ray Williams Funeral Home handling services.[/private]