Police investigated Colvin “Butch” Hinton, a softball umpire who also worked for Delta Airlines. Hinton had a history of violence against women and had been previously convicted of assaulting a child. He had reportedly flirted with Melendi and been warned about his behavior.

Several days later, an anonymous caller claimed to have Melendi and said he would leave her jewelry at a payphone. A ring belonging to Melendi was found at the payphone, and trace evidence linked it to Delta Airlines. This pointed suspicion at Hinton.

Searches of Hinton’s home uncovered women’s clothing, a sleeping bag, and a softball scorecard buried in his yard. He also burned trash the night Melendi disappeared and later set fire to his own house, possibly to destroy evidence. He was convicted of arson.

Hinton was eventually arrested and charged with Melendi’s murder, based on confessions he allegedly made to fellow inmates. He was convicted despite the lack of Melendi’s body. In 2006, he confessed to abducting, raping, and strangling Melendi, burning her body afterward. Authorities are now searching for her remains. Hinton’s conviction was significant as it was the first murder conviction in Georgia without a body or crime scene.