Georgia police have charged a 28-year-old with the savage killing of an elderly couple who embarked on a 180-mile trip to meet with him in hopes he might be able to sell them their "dream car."

According to ABC News, the bodies of 69-year-old Bud Runion and June, his 66-year-old wife, were pulled from a nearby lake earlier this week after they had been reported missing for several days. Police said they both had suffered gunshot wounds to the head.

Only days before they disappeared, the couple placed an ad on Craigslist expressing interest in purchasing a "vintage, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible." Several relatives later told investigators the couple had been hoping to make such a stylish purchase almost from the moment they were married decades ago.

Authorities said they traced the phone last used to communicate with the couple's phone back to Ronnie "Jay" Towns. The Telfair County Sheriff's office, which has also charged him with robbery, added he has little criminal history.

During the time the couple was still considered missing, family members launched a Find Bud and June Runion Facebook page that attracted more than 170,000 followers. As news of their deaths has spread, supporters have flocked there to express their sympathies.

"During this heartbreaking time I ask that you keep the family and friends in your thoughts and prayers," read one post.

In the wake of the brutal and senseless crime and the way the parties first met via Craigslist, CBS News reports more and more police departments are now strongly advising citizens to conduct such web transactions at local police stations.

"It's 99.9% fool proof," said Peter Zollman, a classified ad consultant who founded AIM Group which released a report last year estimating that between 40 killings and 30 convicted killers have been linked to Craigslist in recent years. "Do your transactions at a police station. It's simple enough and more and more police departments are suggesting it."

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