Augusta, GA
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.
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.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Volunteers came together Saturday to help clean up an Augusta neighborhood.
The cleanup took place on Wheeless Road and Dorn Road.
Jeremiah Atkinson started the event as a way to clean up trash dumped in the area and help the community.
He said they had at least 30 bags picked up as of Saturday morning.
“My message is if you see one piece of trash, pick it up and help Augusta clean it up because I feel like that would be more efficient, just pick up one piece of trash a day, just one to help out the community,” Atkinson said.
Organizers also provided snacks for volunteers.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
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