Augusta, GA

‘Wake up’: New details emerge on missing Augusta woman

Published

2 years ago

August 4, 2024

‘Wake up’: New details emerge on missing Augusta woman

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning new details on a missing Augusta woman who was last seen Wednesday near Diamond Lakes Park, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

The missing person report states around 3:50 p.m., deputies were called to investigate the disappearance of 36-year-old Shekema Toran.

Once on scene, deputies met with Toran’s mother, who said Toran’s boyfriend of two months, Biarritz “Danate” Martin, and Toran were at her Hephzibah 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 reports receiving texts that “do not sound like her daughter”.

All of her phone calls to her daughter have also gone unanswered.

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.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies 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.

While deputies continue their search, friends and family were also out looking for Toran on Friday.

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

It’s been more than 48 hours since West has heard from his sister.

“We really just want my sister to come home. If anybody knows anything, really just say something for real. Bring my sister home,” said West.

West and other volunteers have been searching to find Toran, looking through the woods, knocking on doors and tracking her pin locations.

“We got to apply a little pressure as the people as the community because where there is a community there are people and we got power so it’s gonna take us to come together collectively to bring this baby home,” said a search volunteer, Ray Montana.

Home for Toran is two hours away from where her phone was last pinned in Atlanta.

But Montana says they will continue searching until they have answers.

“We not gonna rest until we find her and keep applying pressure. Hopefully, Richmond County will find the man,” said Montana.

She’s believed to be in a white 2004 Ford F-250 with Georgia tag RJW1158. They are believed to be heading to the Atlanta area, where the vehicle was last seen Wednesday.

Authorities released a photo of Toran and said she’s 6 feet tall and weighs 215 pounds.

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

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

The family will continue their search Saturday morning, starting at 9 a.m.

To join the search, you can message Ray Montana on Facebook.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Published

1 hour ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.

“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.”

She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program.

From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition.

Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.

“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.

With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same.

Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.

“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

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Augusta, GA

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.

Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

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