Evans suspect arrested in murder at the Masters Inn

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - An Evans man has been accused of murdering his wife at the Masters Inn on Thursday, according to authorities.

Authorities say at 12:03 a.m., deputies responded to the Masters Inn at 3027 Washington Road to investigate a report of a suspicious situation.

Upon arrival, they found the victim, Marchelle Pilger, 51, of Evans, who was on the floor and unresponsive. Pilger was pronounced deceased by the deputy coroner at 1:04 a.m., according to authorities.

Coroner Mark Bowen says an autopsy has been scheduled.

The suspect, Michael Paul Mitchell, 53, also of Evans, was detained on scene and transported to the Criminal Investigations Division, where he would later be arrested.

According to the arrest warrant, Mitchell allegedly strangled Pilger using a towel, causing her death.

He was being held Thursday in Richmond County jail on a murder charge.

The murder is the latest in an outbreak of violent crimes that have claimed well nearly 140 lives since April 2022 across CSRA. The outbreak has affected communities large and small on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the largest city in the CSRA, Augusta has been hit especially hard.