Burke County Woman Cleared in Boyfriend’s Shooting Death After Grand Jury Declines to Indict, Ending Emotional Case Marked by Claims of Abuse, Self-Defense, and Tragedy

KEYSVILLE, GA — A Burke County woman previously arrested in connection with the February shooting death of her boyfriend will not face formal criminal charges, following a decision by a grand jury not to indict her. District Attorney Jared Williams confirmed the decision Friday, bringing an official close—at least for now—to a case that has stirred significant public interest and scrutiny across the region.

Hannah G. Cobb, who was taken into custody on February 25 and initially charged with felony involuntary manslaughter in the death of 30-year-old Telvin Osborne, appeared before a grand jury on April 24. After reviewing the evidence presented by prosecutors, jurors issued a “no bill” — a legal term indicating insufficient evidence to move forward with prosecution.

“As the Grand Jury has spoken, the case is closed,” District Attorney Williams said in a brief statement. While he acknowledged that the case is no longer active, he also noted that under Georgia law, charges could potentially be refiled if significant new evidence comes to light in the future.

Early Morning Shooting Raises Questions

The incident that led to Osborne’s death occurred in the early morning hours of February 23. Deputies from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at approximately 5:45 a.m. to a residence on the 800 block of 4 Points Road in Keysville, following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Osborne suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

During a 911 call placed by Cobb, she told dispatchers that the firearm had gone off while she was either “cleaning or clearing” it. However, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams later publicly questioned that account, stating that there was no physical evidence to support Cobb’s claim that she had been cleaning the weapon when it discharged. The sheriff also confirmed that alcohol was involved, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. Authorities did not classify the incident as an accident.

Tense Relationship Described in Court

Cobb made her first court appearance in March, during which new and emotionally charged details about her relationship with Osborne emerged. Cobb’s family members described the couple’s relationship as tumultuous, marked by emotional instability, frequent arguments, and allegations of both infidelity and occasional physical abuse.

According to court documents and statements from the prosecution, Cobb and Osborne had spent the night of February 22 out at various clubs in Augusta before returning to the Keysville home in the early hours of the following morning. Cobb later told investigators she was handling her 9mm pistol—something she and Osborne reportedly did routinely before going to sleep—when the gun discharged. She claimed she believed the safety was engaged.

Cobb also admitted to investigators that the couple had argued earlier that evening. She stated that the dispute escalated after she suspected Osborne of communicating with another woman. In support of her version of events, Cobb provided Ring doorbell footage that captured the pair engaged in a verbal confrontation. The footage also showed Osborne leaving the house—only to return later that night.

According to Cobb’s account, Osborne reentered the residence by force and allegedly wielded an 8-inch knife while issuing threats. She claimed that she told deputies where to find the knife, and it was recovered during the investigation. In addition, the prosecution referenced a series of threatening text messages sent by Osborne prior to the shooting, including one that ominously read, “You’d better hide.”

Self-Defense or Recklessness?

As tensions reached a breaking point, Cobb reportedly locked herself in the bathroom and later told authorities that she was contemplating self-harm. She alleged that Osborne forced open the door, prompting her to fire a single round from her firearm in what she described as a desperate act of self-defense.

Deputies found Cobb applying pressure to Osborne’s chest wound upon arrival, and she had already contacted emergency responders.

After her arrest, Cobb was released on a $25,000 bond in early April. She was placed under Level 1 pretrial monitoring and ordered to surrender all firearms to law enforcement.

Legal Closure—for Now

With the grand jury’s decision not to indict, Cobb is no longer under legal jeopardy related to the February shooting. The District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the investigation is officially closed, though it remains open to new evidence should it surface in the future.

The case has generated considerable attention in Burke County and beyond, not only due to the fatal outcome but also because of the emotionally fraught and complex nature of the relationship at its core. It has also prompted broader discussions about self-defense laws, domestic disputes, and how prosecutors weigh such factors when deciding whether to pursue charges.

Law enforcement officials have not issued additional statements since the grand jury’s decision was made public. However, they continue to encourage anyone with information related to the case to contact the Burke County Sheriff’s Office or the District Attorney’s Office.

For now, the legal system has rendered its decision, but the emotional and social ripples from this tragedy are likely to linger within the local community for some time.