NATCHEZ — A man with local roots is charged in the apparent shooting deaths of two people in Georgia.

Cody Lee Vestal, 35, formerly of Waterproof and Concordia Parish, was arrested on two warrants for murder Tuesday even as he convalesced in a Tennessee hospital himself.

The Union County, Ga., Sheriff’s Office discovered two bodies that appeared to be shot inside a residence in Blairsville, Ga., Monday.

Authorities did not say why Vestal was admitted to the Rhea Medical Center in Dayton, Tenn., but a statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the bodies were discovered after the hospital contacted the Dayton Police Department, which in turn contacted the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The vehicle Vestal reportedly drove to the hospital was registered to the address at which the bodies were found. Officers reportedly found a gun in the vehicle.

Prior to his arrest, Vestal was transferred to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn. The GBI statement said he remains under guard at the hospital.

A GBI spokeswoman said Wednesday the identities of the victims have not been released because investigators have not been able to notify their next of kin. Autopsies for the victims were scheduled for Wednesday.

The GBI became involved in the investigation at the request of the Union County Sheriff’s Office.