Tingen found dead ahead of seach warrant

MONROE COUNTY

  • Law enforcement and medical personnel vehicles at the Tingen home following the discovery of his death. COURTESY OF THE MONROE COUNTY REPORTER
    Law enforcement and medical personnel vehicles at the Tingen home following the discovery of his death. COURTESY OF THE MONROE COUNTY REPORTER
  • Stephen Tingen
    Stephen Tingen

    Deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported finding the former Mayor of Gray deceased recently while serving a search warrant on his residence.

    Information shared by The Monroe County Reporter states that the body of Stephen Tingen, 48, was found in a bedroom at his home around 4:45 p.m. May 4, as six deputies arrived to execute the warrant.

    The officers reported finding evidence of suicide at the scene. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ricky Davis, who is over the investigations unit, said deputies were returning to the home with a search warrant after being told they may find evidence there that would bolster their case against Tingen, who was arrested in January on charges of child molestation.

    Davis said the deputies did not hear the shot, but it appeared the suicide happened just before they entered the home. He added that the GBI was called to investigate to avoid any conflicts.

    Tingen was accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl more than once between Sept. 22, 2022, and Jan. 5, 2023. Investigator Judy Mercer of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office took out the warrant against him Jan. 12. He was booked Jan. 13 and released on a $10,000 bond three days later.

    Tingen served as the Mayor of Gray from 2014-17 and moved to his current home in Forsyth in 2020.