A Georgia man admitted guilt Monday for the 2015 robbery and murder of a retired Marietta couple.

According to Telfair County Sheriff Sun Davidson, Ronnie Jay Towns pleaded guilty to murdering Bud and June Runion. He was subsequently sentenced to life behind bars.

“Ronnie Jay Towns has pled guilty to the deaths of Bud and June Runion almost ten years after they were killed in January of 2015,” the sheriff’s office said.

“He has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. We are thankful to have closure in this case, and our prayers are with both families.”

As CrimeOnline previously reported, after spotting the car posted for sale on Craigslist, the Runions drove from Marietta to McRae on January 22, 2015. According to police, Towns created a phony Craigslist ad to lure unassuming people in an attempt to rob them.

He purchased a temporary “throwaway” phone at a convenience store days before the Runions met up with him.

In April 2024, a fisherman stumbled upon a .22-caliber rifle from Horse Creek in Telfair County, where rhe Runions were found murdered.

Two days later, the fisherman  uncovered a bag containing the couple’s driver’s licenses, credit cards, and cellphones.

The Runions were renowned for their community service and for repairing bikes for local children in need. Each Christmas, they embarked on a charitable journey, distributing gifts to Appalachia’s underprivileged youngsters from their Marietta church, according to the church’s pastor, Mark Walker.

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[Feature Photos via Telfair  County SO]