Josh Gillis, 36, of Tifton, Georgia, was found dead of apparent gunshot wounds inside a burning vehicle on July 24, 2026, at the intersection of Arnold Road and Branch Road in Tift County. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a homicide. On August 6, 2026, the GBI and the Tift County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Robert Louis Brown, 41, of Tifton, who was already in custody on unrelated charges, and on August 6 the arrest of Aiyah Foster, 25, also of Tifton. Brown faces Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Second Degree Arson, Aggravated Assault, Improper Disposal of Human Remains, two firearm-related charges, and Tampering with Evidence. Foster faces Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Tampering with Evidence, Improper Disposal of Human Remains, and Second Degree Arson.
A warrant has been issued for a third person, Derrick Lamar Britt Jr., 33, of Tifton, on the same charges faced by Brown. As of this writing Britt remains at large; no arrest has been reported. The GBI has released a wanted graphic depicting Britt seated in a vehicle wearing a white shirt and a gold chain, but agencies have not published a formal physical description (height, weight, hair, or eye color). No motive or relationship between the three co-defendants and the victim has been disclosed. The investigation remains active. Anyone with information on Britt's whereabouts is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080, the Tift County Sheriff's Office at 229-388-6020, or the GBI Tip Line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
