Homeless Mother Kills Daughter, Then Herself Near Georgia Church
Police are investigating the apparent murder-suicide after the mother and child were found deceased in a car.
A homeless mother shot and killed her 2-year-old daughter before taking her own life near a church in Cobb County, Georgia, where they had been living, authorities and family members confirmed.
Abria Spriggs, 31, and her young daughter were discovered Sunday morning in a car parked near Milford Baptist Church. Both had sustained gunshot wounds, according to James Kennedy, Spriggs’ great-uncle, who spoke with 11 Alive.
Cobb County Police Department officials stated that the mother and child were beyond life-saving measures upon discovery. Police believe Spriggs killed her daughter and then committed suicide.
Kennedy revealed that Spriggs had recently moved to the Atlanta area from Augusta and had a history of expressing suicidal thoughts. However, he indicated that neither he nor other family members were aware of the depth of her despair or their dire living circumstances.
"I did not know she was homeless," Kennedy said. "If I knew … just come in my house and we will find you somewhere."
Kennedy urged others to reach out to loved ones and share their struggles. "Talk to someone. Do not hold it in. Talk to someone. Someone that you know cares," he advised.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to police. The Cobb County Police Department declined to provide further comments on Tuesday.