Augusta, GA

Dekalb police ID suspect after missing Augusta woman found dead

Published

1 year ago

August 10, 2024

Dekalb police ID suspect after missing Augusta woman found dead

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning new information about a missing Augusta woman whose body was found in a car in an Atlanta-area parking lot.

The Dekalb Police Department says Shekema Toran, 36, was found dead on Sunday at 2385 Wesley Chapel Road.

The police department says a suspect has been identified and warrants have been secured, but they are not able to release the names at this time.

Officials with the department says the case is being investigated by their Homicide Assault Unit.

Toran was last seen on Aug. 8, and thought to be headed for Atlanta – where her phone was last “pinned.”

Her family members have been frantically looking for her and on Monday were sharing news reports on social media of the discovery of a body in Decatur – one they were afraid could be Toran’s.

On Monday afternoon, they learned what they feared: It was her body.

Authorities have been seeking her boyfriend for questioning since she was reported missing.

In Decatur, police said they responded to a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a Kroger in a shopping center in the 2300 block of Wesley Chapel Road around 9:42 a.m. Sunday. When they arrived, officers reportedly found a dead woman inside the vehicle. Authorities haven’t released the cause of death.

She was identified Monday as Toran, who was last seen near Diamond Lakes Park, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Toran’s mother said Toran’s boyfriend of two months, Biarritz “Danate” Martin, and Toran were at her home.

Shekema Toran and Barritz Martin(Contributed)

After an argument started, Martin left the home after Toran’s mother asked him to leave. He returned two hours later to pick Toran up, according to the report.

According to her statement, Toran’s mother has not heard from her daughter since and said she’d gotten texts that “do not sound like her daughter.”

The report states that deputies contacted Martin’s roommates, who reported that Martin was at the home Tuesday night, but Toran was not with him.

Deputies said they made multiple attempts to contact Martin, but there was no answer.

After some time, the report states Martin returned the deputy’s call, who asked to speak with Toran multiple times.

Martin could be heard saying, “Wake up,” and smacking the dash or seat, according to deputies.

This repeated for around 10 minutes before Martin disconnected the call and did not answer on callback.

Family members were out looking for Toran on Friday.

“I’m really lost. I don’t know what to do for real,” said her brother Travoun West.

Toran was believed to be in a white 2004 Ford F-250 with Georgia tag RJW1158.

Deputies released a photo of Martin and said he’s 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 160 pounds.

A balloon release in honor of Toran will be held on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Bernie Ward Community Center.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

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Augusta, GA

Ga. gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan visits Augusta

Published

10 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Ga. gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan visits Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan hosted a community conversation in Augusta on Friday.

The event at the HUB for Community Innovation was the final stop of a statewide tour highlighting his fight to bring down housing costs.

Duncan heard from local experts in the housing space and discussed how he says he can expand these efforts and lower costs for families as governor.

Duncan is running as a Democrat, but was a Republican when he served as lieutenant governor.

The former professional baseball player is a fierce opponent of Republican President Donald Trump.

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Augusta, GA

Richmond County school board recommendations spark community reaction

Published

22 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Richmond County school board recommendations spark community reaction

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County School Board’s recommendation to close three schools and build a new college and career academy has drawn reaction from across the community.

The board announced its recommendation on Tuesday to close Jenkins White Elementary and transition the T.W. Josey High and Murphy Middle school site into a college and career academy.

Board member Monique Braswell, speaking as an individual and not on behalf of the board, said she opposes the plan despite acknowledging that that schools need to close due to low attendance.

“I will go on to see glory and I will still never accept it. I will never accept the fact that we are displacing children. I will never accept the fact that if T.W. Josey goes away,” Braswell said. “I will take that to the grave with me.”

Braswell said the district needs to examine underlying causes before making changes.

“We need to figure out why the kids are not going to here, there, and there,” she said. “And we need to take the communities and all the alumni along with us on this ride.”

Sheffie Robinson, president of the T.W. Josey High School Alumni Association, said the proposed changes would disrupt an already affected community. According to the presentation, students would be redistributed to Butler, Laney and Richmond Academy.

“So it’s like you disrupt a community that was built around this that has already had significant disruption over the last 30 years,” Robinson said.

We’re taking a bigger look at the Richmond County School System’s plan for several historic schools.

Under the recommendation, the Josey-Murphy site would close and construction of the college and career academy would start after this school year. Jenkins White Elementary School would also close.

Barton Chapel would be demolished, with a new building constructed for fall 2028.

Michael Thurman, who has three children in Richmond County Schools, questioned the district’s financial management.

“They really need to do a better job of being stewards of our money when they keep building left and right, school after school after school, and tearing down the others,” Thurman said.

Thurman said the district’s past spending raises concerns about the current plan.

“They definitely need to also take in mind that you’re just really wasting a lot of money building these buildings,” he said.

The district said alumni and community members will have opportunities to voice their opinions before the board votes. Public meetings are planned for January.

Braswell emphasized the importance of community engagement in the process.

“The public has to be more engaged. I don’t care if people push you away. You just have to stay engaged as the public,” she said.

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Augusta, GA

Another portion of Augusta Canal towpath is reopening to public

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Another portion of Augusta Canal towpath is reopening to public

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Another section of the Augusta Canal towpath is reopening after being closed since Hurricane Helene.

The storm on Sept. 27, 2024, left the path strewn with debris as broken branches hung precarously overhead.

On Friday, the path will reopen between the raw water pump station and the Interstate 20 bridge.

In preparation, crews have made safety improvements along the previously closed section of the trail.

Visitors are asked to observe all posted signs and stay behind safety barriers.

Embankment repairs have been delayed, but will take place in the future.

Once repair work begins, portions of the towpath will be temporarily closed at various times. Advance notice will be shared with the public before any closures.

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