News Summary
An arrest warrant has been issued for Juan Renardo Chunn in connection with the 2005 murder of Catrina Beatrice Evans, thanks to recent forensic advancements. Evans was tragically found fatally stabbed in her apartment, with her one-year-old daughter left alone nearby. A palm print linked to Chunn, who is currently serving a life sentence for another murder, led authorities to reopen the case. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is committed to pursuing justice for victims of cold cases.
Augusta, Georgia – An arrest warrant has been issued for Juan Renardo Chunn, 56, in connection with the murder of Catrina Beatrice Evans, a 2005 case that has recently seen advancements due to forensic breakthroughs. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office secured the warrant on September 17, 2025, following new developments in the longstanding investigation.
Evans was found fatally stabbed in her apartment located at 2445 Amsterdam Drive on August 20, 2005. Upon discovery, she had suffered multiple stab wounds, and her one-year-old daughter, identified as Iyana, was found alive, crawling around her mother’s body. Reports indicated that the child had been left unattended for seven days without food or water.
During the original investigation, authorities collected various pieces of evidence, including a palm print discovered near Evans’ body. However, the palm print did not yield any leads until a review of the case in July 2025 prompted a resubmission to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Department of Forensic Science Crime Lab. This review matched the palm print to Chunn, who is also known as Juan Renaldo Tillman.
Chunn is currently serving a life sentence for Murder in the First Degree at the Columbus Correctional Institution in Whiteville, North Carolina, following a 2018 conviction for the murder of his father. Despite his ongoing imprisonment, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office intends to pursue a murder charge against Chunn in this jurisdiction as per the findings of the renewed investigation.
In light of these new developments, the Evans family has been notified. The Richmond County authorities are emphasizing their commitment to reviewing cold cases in a bid to provide justice for victims and closure for families affected by violent crimes. Sheriff Eugene Brantley reaffirmed this commitment, stating that all victims deserve justice and that efforts must continue to hold violent offenders accountable.
This case, which had remained unsolved for nearly two decades, illustrates the advancements in forensic technology and its potential to bring closure to families and justice to victims of violent crimes. The combination of diligent investigative work and modern techniques has allowed law enforcement to revisit and reinvigorate cold cases that may have once seemed stagnant.
In summary, the issuance of the arrest warrant for Juan Renardo Chunn marks a significant development in the 2005 murder of Catrina Beatrice Evans. With modern forensic science playing a key role in solving the case, authorities remain focused on seeking justice for the victim and the safety of the community.
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HERE Resources
Arrest Warrant Issued in 20-Year-Old Homicide Case
Arrest Warrant Issued in Nearly Two-Decade Cold Case
Additional Resources
- WRDW: After 20 years, palm print leads to suspect in Augusta mom’s killing
- Wikipedia: Forensic science
- WJBF: Arrest warrant issued in 2005 Augusta homicide of Catrina Beatrice Evans
- Google Search: Augusta Georgia 2005 homicide case
- The Augusta Press: Palm print leads to arrest in 20 year old Augusta murder
- Google Scholar: Cold cases forensics
- Augusta Chronicle: Richmond County authorities obtain arrest warrant in 20 year old murder
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cold case
- WFXG: Palm print evidence ties North Carolina inmate to 2005 Augusta cold case
- Google News: Augusta cold case developments
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
