FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Sheriff officials are investigating a man accused of raping a woman in a cemetery.

According to the incident report, 39-year-old Matthew Scott Whelchel texted the victim on Feb 6, 2023 saying that he was going to be with his father, who was murdered in front of him years ago. The victim said she believed he was going to hurt himself.

Officials said the victim went to meet Whelchel at Sawnee View Memorial Gardens where his father was buried. When she arrived, she found Whelchel standing by his father’s grave intoxicated.

The victim told deputies that Whelchel complained of his back hurting and got into the back seat of his truck to lie down. The victim went to sit in the truck’s back seat when she said Whelchel put his head in her lap and began to touch her inappropriately.

When the victim tried to get him to stop, she said Whelchel became agitated and raped her. He then called a family member to come to get him.

The victim said she told Whelchel’s aunt what happened when she arrived at the cemetery to pick him up. She added that when she got home, Whelchel began texting and emailing her and her ex-husband, threatening to kill her and her family.

Whelchel was arrested and charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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