Cartersville Woman's Killer Pleads Guilty, Gets Life in Prison

A drifter who met a Cartersville woman online and stayed in her apartment just days before stabbing her to death has pleaded guilty to murder and other crimes in connection with the Oct. 2, 2012, incident at Alexandria Landing apartments.

Deandre Davoughin Hightower, then 20 years old, pleaded guilty today in the killing of nursing assistant Candice Piper, 29, District Attorney Rosemary Greene said in a press release.

Cartersville Police Department Chief Thomas "Tommy" Culpepper said in October 2012 that investigators believe Piper met Hightower on the Internet, likely via a dating website. He had been in Cartersville a short time and had stayed at Piper's apartment about four days prior to her death.

Hightower began stabbing Piper in her bedroom after she returned home and some type of argument between the two ensued. Piper was found in her living room with multiple stab wounds following the 9:50 a.m. call to 911.

During the altercation, Hightower allegedly pushed against a wall a second woman in the apartment.

Rosa Williams, who at the time was a CNA at Starcrest, according to her Facebook page, was sleeping on Piper's couch when the altercation began and in fear fled the apartment to seek help from neighbors, police said.

Piper sustained multiple stab wounds, mainly to the upper body, both front and back, Capt. Mark Camp said. Police recovered several knives from the apartment and two suitcases containing Hightower's personal belongings, which he apparently carried into the woods behind a nearby church as he fled on foot after the alleged killing.

Hightower pleaded guilty to murder and false imprisonment against Piper and aggravated assault and false imprisonment against Williams, according to Greene.

Superior Court Judge D. Scott Smith sentenced Hightower to life plus 30 years to serve in prison.

• Police: Candice Piper Met Her Killer Online