A Georgia mother is suspected of fatally shooting the two adult children she had with a City of Atlanta official before killing herself, police and a spokesman for the official said Thursday.
Marsha Edwards, 58; Erin Edwards, 20; and Christopher Edwards Jr., 24, were found inside their Atlanta suburb home Wednesday when police entered, but they were long dead, according to Cobb County Police.
Christopher and Erin died of gunshot wounds, and Marsha died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Marsha Edwards was the ex-wife of Dr. Christopher Edwards, an orthopedic surgeon and the chairman of Atlanta’s housing authority.
“Christopher Edwards learned Wednesday of the death of his former wife, Dr. Marsha Edwards, and his two adult children, Christopher Edwards, Jr. and Erin Edwards. Dr. Edwards, his extended family and friends are in a state of grief and shock, and privacy of the family is paramount as arrangements are being made,” Jeff Dickerson, a spokesman for Edwards, said in a statement.
‘There was no sign of violence’
Social media posts from the family do not allude to the tragedy that would happen this week. Days before Edwards’ death, she posted pictures from a trip with Erin to Italy.
“I’ve had the best summer, first with Chris in Miami and Erin in Italy. I could not ask for better children,” she captioned a series of pictures with her daughter.
Erin Edwards, who attended Boston University, posted a picture on her Instagram earlier this month reflecting on her summer spent as an intern at NBC. Chris Edwards worked as the digital content manager for the City of Atlanta’s Executive Office of Entertainment, according toCNN affiliate WSB.
Marsha Edwards received a medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport and owned MME Enterprises, LLC, a supplier of surgical and medical equipment, according to her Linkedin page.
“For something like this to happen and unfold, it’s unbelievable,” neighbor Talia Cartall told WSB. “We didn’t hear anything. There was no sign of violence or anything.”
“They were wonderful people, which makes it a lot harder to just understand what went wrong,” Cantrall said.
Mayor, journalism association offer condolences
All three were members of the National Association of Black Journalists.
“NABJ extends its condolences, prayers and thoughts to the family, friends and colleagues of Marsha Edwards, Christopher Edwards II and Erin Edwards,” the organization said in a statement.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms also extended her condolences on the losses of Chris and Erin.
“Chris and Erin were beautiful, vibrant, and brilliant young adults, whom we had the pleasure of knowing their entire lives. They filled the lives of all who met them with joy, compassion, and kindness. May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, be with the Edwards family and all who had the honor to have known them,” the mayor said in a statement.
