A Georgia man has been charged with murder after he allegedly killed his girlfriend, stuffed her body in a suitcase in a closet of her apartment, and took off for Atlanta in her car.

The Thomaston Police Department said they were contacted early Saturday morning by Margret Dubignon’s family, who said they’d been unable to reach her since Thursday. They also told investigators that Dubignon’s boyfriend, Freddrick Durham, was also not at the apartment, where he lived, and Dubignon’s car was missing.

Officers returned to headquarters to filed the report and send out information about the missing car but were called back to the apartment when family members said they’d found a body in a large suitcase in a closet.

The Upson County Coroner and EMS personnel also responded, determined the body was deceased and that it was Dubignon.

Investigators sent out a BOLO for Dubignon’s car and for Durham, who was now a possible homicide suspect. Using Georgia’s tag reader system, they tracked to car to an undisclosed location in Atlanta and notified Atlanta Police and the Georgia State Patrol.

Durham was in custody two hours later.

He was brought back to Thomaston and charged with murder, concealing a death, tampering with evidence, and theft by taking a motor vehicle. Other charges may follow.

Thomaston PD issued “a very special thanks to all the family members of the victim.”

“This was a horrific crime and an extremely painful event, yet the family, in spite of their emotions, were incredibly composed, supportive and cooperative throughout todays investigation,” the department said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Featured image: Freddrick Durham taken into custody in Atlanta/Thomaston Police Department]