‘He saved my life’: Effingham County man remembers Craig Lanier after Bryan County tragedy

BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - A man in Effingham County is sharing a deeply personal story after learning that one of the two people found dead in a Bryan County home this weekend once saved his life.

Authorities say the couple, Kenneth C. “Craig” Lanier and Rhonda Lanier, were found dead inside their home.

READ HERE: Bryan County couple found shot to death in home; Suspect dies by suicide following pursuit

Investigators say the suspect, Anthony Forney, a

llegedly stole two vehicles — including the Laniers’ silver Toyota Camry — before leading deputies on a chase. Officials say the pursuit ended when the suspect crashed and later took his own life. The investigation is still ongoing.

But for Chuck McMillan, the news hit especially hard.

He says Craig Lanier wasn’t just a victim in this case — he was the man who saved his life decades ago.

McMillan says when he was a toddler living in Richmond Hill, he struggled with serious health problems and was often very sick. One day, he suddenly stopped breathing.

At the time, Lanier was working nearby as a telephone repairman. McMillan says Lanier heard the commotion, rushed over, and performed CPR.

That quick action saved his life.

“I wasn’t going to make it,” McMillan said. “But because of him — Mr. Craig Lanier — I’m here today.”

McMillan says hearing about Lanier’s death this weekend was devastating.

He says years after the incident, he read old newspaper articles about the day Lanier saved him. Eventually, he even got the chance to reconnect with him in Richmond Hill.

McMillan says he thanked Lanier personally.

“I told him, ‘Mr. Lanier, you probably don’t know who this is, but you saved my life a long time ago,’” McMillan recalled. “I’m saddened to say this hero is no longer with us.”

Now a husband and father himself, McMillan says he believes Lanier’s actions that day had a lasting impact.

“God’s got a purpose for all of us,” McMillan said. “And I know he fulfilled his purpose the day he saved my life.”

McMillan says his thoughts and prayers are with the Lanier family as the community mourns their loss. The investigation into the case continues.