Crime & Safety

Third Kennesaw Drinking Party Suspect Arrested

A 16-year-old Woodstock teen who attended the party died.

The last of three suspects wanted in connection with a July 11 party where vodka and rum were served to a 16-year-old Woodstock boy who later died is in custody.

Stewart Nick Murray of Cartersville was arrested Thursday evening in the 5000 block of Bells Ferry Road, according to online jail records.

Murray, 20, allegedly drove a disoriented Alexsander Fraire from the party in Kennesaw to the apartment that Murray shared with James Matthew Cole in Towne Lake.

"Based on testimony from Cole and Murray, before Fraire left 1711 Live Oak Drive, (he) was vomiting, unable to walk or talk and had labored breathing," according to an arrest warrant. "The subject had to be carried to the vehicle."

Around 7:30 a.m. July 12, detectives with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at the Terraces at Towne Lake Apartments, where Fraire was found unresponsive, Cherokee sheriff's Lt. Jay Baker said at the time.

"Based on the investigation of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office," authorities said in the Cobb arrest warrant, "it is believed the consumption of alcohol was a contributing factor in the death of the juvenile."

Murray remains in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center in lieu of $1,000 bond on a charge of alcohol possession.

Cole, 20, is in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center in lieu of $1,360 bond. He was arrested July 19 on an unrelated failure to appear charge, Baker said. If he makes bond, he will be transferred to Cobb, where he faces one count of alcohol possession.

Kyle Walker, the 20-year-old party host, surrendered to Cobb authorities Thursday morning. He allegedly provided the vodka and rum and encouraged "the chugging of these beverages," according to the warrant.

Walker faces multiple charges, including three counts of furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under 21, one count of alcohol possession and one count of reckless conduct. He was released Thursday afternoon on $5,000 bond.

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