ELLAVILLE, Ga. (WTVM) - Donna Lynn McChargue, the former Ellaville city manager who faced 29 counts of theft by taking, was found dead at her residence Sunday, Feb. 22, Schley County Coroner David Byrd confirmed.

McChargue was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:16 p.m. Her body was sent to the GBI crime lab, and an investigation is pending.

Charges and termination

City officials fired McChargue after a GBI investigation found suspicious purchases and withdrawals totaling approximately $460,000. Authorities said the total amount stolen could range from $400,000 to $1 million.

The GBI arrested McChargue on Jan. 22 and charged her with 29 counts of theft by taking. She was booked into the Taylor County Jail following her arrest.

Following an emergency city council meeting, McChargue was given five days to request a public hearing or face termination. She was subsequently fired.

Investigation background

The GBI began investigating McChargue in October 2025 at the request of the Southwestern District Attorney’s Office, after the office received a tip that city funds were being misallocated.

Ellaville Mayor Shane Tondee said he had raised questions about certain purchases in the past.

“It was just some different things that she was paying that I questioned what this was for. She would explain it, but I just had a thing in the back of my head saying something isn’t jiving,” Tondee said. “I saw things and I started questioning and she would get defensive with me.”

Tondee described the charges as heartbreaking and shocking.

“She was a well liked employee and many people find it hard to believe she charged with stealing so much money from the city,” Tondee said.

McChargue began working for the city as a billing clerk in October 2014 and was named city manager on June 22, 2015.

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