Georgia Arson Control gives rewards to witnesses of arson & murder case

PERRY — In 2021, a life was lost and a home was destroyed by fire, resulting in the arrest of a suspect who was later convicted. On May 30, three individuals who made significant contributions to the case were recognized with a reward from a nonprofit organization.

The Georgia Arson Control gave money to three eyewitnesses who had reported the fire, totaling $14,000.

People gathered at the Houston County Courthouse on Friday to honor the recipients. During the event, remarks were made by several speakers, including Houston County Assistant District Attorney Justin Duane, Georgia Arson Control consultant Kenneth LeCroy, Warner Robins Fire Department Captain Kevin Kendrick, and Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards.

LeCroy described the event as bittersweet and expressed gratitude to the witnesses, the Warner Robins Fire Department, and the District Attorney’s office for their efforts in the case.

“It is truly a team effort to take an arson, an arsonist, and put them behind bars for that long. And we are truly grateful. … Thank you to the people who came forward and helped. You did a wonderful thing,” LeCroy said.

Duane, one of the prosecutors involved in the case, reported that the Warner Robins Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene in January 2021. There, they discovered an active fire along with the body of Lisa Brooks. An investigation revealed that her cause of death was strangulation, and the fire was determined to have been intentionally set.

According to eyewitness testimony, Spencer Brooks, her son, had moved in about a month earlier. Duane noted that he had recently been released on parole. 

Duane also revealed that Lisa and Spencer Brooks had a strained relationship. Letters were found in which Lisa Brooks said her son believed his problems were his mother’s fault, while she felt like a hostage to her son. 

Spencer Brooks was at his neighbor’s residence before returning to his mother’s home on the day of the fire. Several hours later, the neighbor put her child to sleep, let her dog outside, noticed the house was ablaze, and called 911.

Before the fire, two witnesses visited Lisa Brooks, but she did not answer the door. Spencer Brooks tried to get a ride with them. When the witnesses asked him where Lisa was, he claimed he didn’t know and stated that he was going to burn the house down, later saying he was just kidding.

After the neighbor called 911, Spencer Brooks returned to her house, where he was acting strangely and asking to create an alibi. She agreed, but later testified she was doing it only to get him out of the house.

A neighbor witnessed Spencer Brooks, smelling strongly of gasoline and appearing “demonic,” enter her residence. After being escorted out, he tried unsuccessfully to leave with her and her boyfriend. He then went to another neighbor’s house across the street from his mother’s home. Ultimately, Spencer Brooks came back to his mother’s house and watched it as it burned.

After a jury trial, Spencer Brooks was convicted of murder, aggravated assault, and arson, resulting in a life sentence in prison. The total property damage amounted to over $100,000, according to Duane. 

Following the trial, Georgia Arson Control contacted the District Attorney’s office to offer rewards related to the case. Duane expressed that it was a surprise to hear about the rewards.

“We’re happy to coordinate this for Georgia Arson Control. … We actually had no idea that monetary awards were given to people who did this until after the fact,” Duane said.

Edwards expressed gratitude and appreciation to GAC and the participating witnesses.

“We rely on folks coming forward with things that they witnessed, things they saw, to be able to do our job, be able to prove in court that crimes occurred here in Houston County. Without people bravely coming forward and testifying about the things that they saw and telling law enforcement the things that they saw, we wouldn’t have any ability to get into court and hold these individuals who commit crimes accountable,” Edwards said.

Kendrick commended the involved agencies and especially the witnesses. He also urged the public to contact his office at (478) 293-1061 if they suspect arson.