Crime
Couple Identified in Apparent Murder-Suicide in Lawrenceville as Rachel Free and Embrey Watson
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Authorities in Lawrenceville have identified the two individuals who died in what investigators are calling an apparent murder-suicide that occurred Wednesday morning.
According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of Clearwater Place shortly after 9:41 a.m. following a report of a possible shooting.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 39-year-old Rachel Free deceased inside a bedroom.
Investigators determined that 51-year-old Embrey Watson fatally shot Free while she was asleep before turning the gun on himself.
Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say the couple had been involved in a tumultuous relationship spanning roughly two decades.
According to investigators, Free had been planning to end the relationship and move out of the home on the day of the incident, a development that may have preceded the tragic shooting.
The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office has taken custody of both bodies, and autopsy results are pending to confirm the official cause and manner of death.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident but have stated that there is no threat to the public.
Coffee County, Ala. — A homicide investigation is underway after a fatal shooting at a residence near Kinston on Monday morning, authorities confirmed.
According to Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd, deputies responded at approximately 7:51 a.m. to a reported shooting along County Road 483, just off County Road 89 in the Kinston area.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a deceased individual at the scene.
Officials later indicated the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute between two individuals, though additional details have not yet been released.
Authorities identified the suspect as Joseph Levi Jackson, who was wanted in connection with the shooting death of his father.
Jackson was initially reported to have fled the scene on foot and was considered armed and dangerous.
The search involved multiple agencies, including the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), including troopers and State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agents.
State tracking dogs were deployed as part of the coordinated search effort, particularly near Hattaway Road and Charolais Road, off Covington County Road 89.
Jackson was last described as wearing a black and red flannel shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball cap.
Law enforcement urged residents not to approach the suspect and to contact 911 with any information.
Following an intensive search, Sheriff Byrd confirmed that Jackson was located and taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities have not yet announced formal charges but confirmed that the investigation is being led by ALEA.
The suspect’s temporary flight prompted Kinston School to delay its opening on Monday morning. School officials later announced a full closure for the day out of an abundance of caution.
In a statement, school administrators thanked local law enforcement for their swift and professional response, emphasizing that the safety of students, staff, and families remains their top priority.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue processing the scene and gathering additional information.