BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Nearly a year after a man was found slain inside the Brunswick home he was renovating, authorities announced Monday they're charging two people in his murder.
Brad Austin Potter, 37, and Pamela Lynn Collins, 50, face murder and burglary charges in the shooting death of Antoni Zalewski, according to the Glynn County Police Department.
Zalewski, 57, of Chicago, was found shot to death Dec. 8, 2017, inside the Old Jesup Road home he was in the process of remodeling, police previously reported.
Zalewski's children, 28-year-old Rene and 29-year-old Robert, joined police at the podium as the arrests were announced Monday afternoon.
"We are very grateful for finally getting answers we’ve been waiting so long for them," Rene Zalewski said. "Hopefully ... it will start the healing process that we weren’t able to do this whole time."
The siblings said it was bittersweet learning of the arrests in their father's death.
"Although it feels like justice has been done, now, there is whole other part you all will have to go through," Robert Zalewski said. "It’s still going to be a long road, but I’m sure he’s proud of us and I know he would cheer us on the whole time with his big smile."
The siblings said they will be there for the part of the chapter that will be played out in the courtroom, and although a weight has been lifted, they will never be the same without their dad.
"He was my best friend," Robert Zalewski said. "He was we enjoyed the outdoors. We fished a lot. It will be hard going on without my fishing buddy, but we can breathe better knowing they are behind bars."
Police said Collins was served with warrants Monday and is being held at the Glynn County Detention Center. Potter, who's in custody at the Dooley State Prison on unrelated charges, will be served with warrants at a later date, police said.
According to police, the two arrested did not know Zalewski previously. Investigators said it appeared to be a random killing and that they believe it was a burglary gone bad.