Cobb County police are seeking the killer of a 46-year-old gay man brutally stabbed to death inside his east Cobb home.
A neighbor found the body of Jerry L. Moore just inside his Gracewood Drive home on Jan. 27 and called police. Investigators say a struggle took place between Moore and his killer, who stabbed Moore several times.
"The door was open and when [the neighbor] went in, she found him deceased on the floor very near the front door," said Sgt. Dana Pierce, a Cobb County police spokesperson.
Police described the crime scene as "very graphic" and said Moore had been stabbed multiple times with a sharp instrument.
Pierce said homicide investigators are pursuing several leads, including whether his murder was related to selling and buying items on eBay or if it was the result of a sexual hook up gone awry.
"We are still very much actively working this case with multiple leads, ranging from here locally to Atlanta and beyond," Pierce said. "Possible motives are all being looked at, either being personal or business related."
Moore lived in a ranch home in the Pine Shadows neighborhood since 2005, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. His killing shocked neighbors, who knew Moore from his twice-daily walks with his dog.
Moore was a "dedicated supporter" of Pets Are Loving Support, the gay Atlanta non-profit that cares for the pets of critically ill and disabled people. A former software installer, Moore recently worked as an online reservation specialist for Disney Vacations and co-owned Best Dang Bakery Around in Woodstock, according to an obituary.
Jerry was a dedicated supporter of PALS (Pets Are Loving Support). His greatest contentment was treasure hunting at yard sales, thrift shops and the infamous US 127 flea market that annually runs from KY to GA, He enjoyed displaying his extensive collection of Christmas and Halloween yard decorations to the delight of receiving anonymous notes and cards of "thank-you" from many who passed by.
During Atlanta Pride last October, Moore met gay playwright Del Shores, who described his "sweet spirit" in a Facebook post.
Daniel Selby shared with me this very sad, tragic story about the murder of one of my fans - I met Jerry Moore just this past year at Atlanta Pride and we took this picture. What as sweet spirit Jerry had. He wrote me a few times on this page to give me love and support. This is just so upsetting. I'm posting this because you never know how a story can find to the right person who knows something that could help the police. RIP Jerry. My heart is sad.
A memorial service for Moore was held Feb. 10 at Auble Funeral Home in Orrville, Ohio, where he grew up and attended high school.
[Photo of Del Shores (left) and Jerry Moore (right) via]
