Amanda Drye

Name:
Drye, Amanda

Date of Booking:
09/09/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
ARSON – 1ST DEGREE

OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS – MISDEMEANOR

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On September 9, 2025, I Deputy Dominguez, was dispatched to [100 BLOCK] Largo Dr, located within Jones County, in reference to a structure fire.

Upon my arrival, I saw that the home was fully involved, I exited my patrol vehicle and saw there were several people in the area. I asked if anyone was inside and they said they were not sure. I went to run down the driveway to see if I could determine whether anyone was in the home.

As I was making my way to the home, I saw Amanda Drye between some trees coming from next door at [100 BLOCK] Largo Drive. She stated “I’m sorry, I lit a candle” I asked her if her kids were inside and I asked whether her husband, [VICTIM #1], was in the home. She said her kids were at school and that her husband was not there. Mrs. Drye had a pink bag and a smaller white back pack, I told her not to leave as I needed to speak with her, I told her to wait at the corner of the driveway. She stated that she was not going to go anywhere and would wait at the corner of the driveway.

As I went down the driveway towards the fire I heard bystanders yell out, “Hey she’s leaving!” “Are you just going to let her leave!?” I turned around and I observed Mrs. Drye across the street on a trail in the woodline, headed to the railroad tracks. I ran over to her and called out to her, as I got close I told her to stop and she could not leave as I still need to speak with her. Se turned around and hesitated to come out towards me. I told her again to come out. She then placed her bags down on the trail in the woods and came out to me. I told her that I was going to place her in my car and she acknowledged that she understood. I placed her in my car and went back to working the scene.

I blocked the scene from others coming through with my patrol vehicle and created a police line with yellow crime scene tape. I asked some family that were at the scene if they knew where the kids were and where Mr. [VICTIM #1] was. They advised me that the kids were at school and that [VICTIM #1] may be at his cousin’s house on Shady Springs Rd, just down the road from the scene. I also requested an investigator. I transmitted this information over my portable radio. During this time Deputy Elliot, arrived to assist and Lt. Carr also arrived.

I briefed Lt. Carr about what had occurred and my encounter with Mrs. Drye. He then went to speak with her in the back of my patrol vehicle. I began speaking with people who were at the scene to gather information. I met with more family members, [WITNESS #1] (Sister to Mr. [VICTIM #1]), [WITNESS #2] (Sister to Mr. [VICTIM #1]), and [WITNESS #3] (Father to [VICTIM #1]).

Another Deputy had gone to Amanda Drye’s kids school and confirmed that they were there. Mr. [VICTIM #1] still had not been located and I asked the sisters and father when they last saw him. The most recent date they had seen Mr. [VICTIM #1] was on Sunday, September 7.

As I was speaking with the family, Mr. [WITNESS #3], he stated that Amanda told him she set the house on fire. I asked to explain further; he said that he went over to the house and saw the house on fire and then he saw Amanda Drye breaking the windows of the house with an object like a bat. He said that he asked Amanda if she set the house one fire, to which she responded “Yup, I’m crazy right?” At this same time Lt. Carr was with Amanda Dry, he mirandized her, obtained a confession and arrested her.

I then took photos of the bags Amanda had and of the trail where she was walking and had left the bags when I stopped her from leaving the scene. Investigators arrived on scene and I briefed them on all the informartion I had and actions that I took.

I remained on scene until the fire was out and road opened up for traffic.

[End of Narrative]