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Man wanted after missing woman found dead

The woman's body was discovered in a shallow grave.

CUMMING, Ga. — Authorities are continuing to search for a man after the body of a 21-year-old woman reported missing was discovered in Forsyth County on Wednesday.

Hannah Bender was reported missing on Sept. 14. Over the weekend, the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office announced that a murder warrant had been taken out for Austin Todd Stryker's arrest after investigators found bloody clothing. 

On Tuesday, investigators found a black pick-up truck that was allegedly connected to Bender in Forsyth County, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

Credit: Provided
Hannah Bender

The next day, a body was found in a shallow grave on a property off Parks Road. That's close to where the truck had been discovered.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jerrard said that while it has not been officially confirmed, he believed that the body is that of Hannah Bender. 

RELATED: Sheriff: Body of missing Lumpkin County woman found in Forsyth County

Jerrard said that U.S. Marshals, the GBI and local authorities are searching for Stryker in connection with the death.  According to a Facebook post by West Virginia State Police, Stryker was last seen in Clay County, West Virginia.

Credit: Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office
Austin Todd Stryker

There are three crime scenes -- Lumpkin County, Dawson County and Forsyth County, according to Sheriff Jerrard. Authorities believe Bender was killed in Lumpkin County, Jerrard said. 

Stryker's wife, Elizabeth Donaldson, was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. 

Credit: Dawson County Sheriff's Office

Stryker is 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds and has blonde hair. He is considered "armed and dangerous," according to Jerrard. Anyone with information is urged to contact the US Marshal Service at 304-347-5136 or local authorities. 

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