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.

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