Georgia – A small Georgia community is grappling with tragedy after a parent and his child, 9, were found dead in a parked vehicIe on Tuesday evening. Georgia authorities are investigating the deaths as a suspected murder-suicide.
At approximately 7:45 p.m. on May 27, 2025, law enforcement officers responded to a report of an unresponsive child Iocked in a vehicIe at the park. Upon arrival, officers discovered the 9-year-old child, EmiIy, in the backseat with an apparent gunshot wound. Her parent, 37-year-old Janes, was found in the front seat with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. A firearm was located on his lap.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to assist with the death investigation. Both bodies were transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsies. The GBI has not released further details, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Investigators surmised that James Mayo shot and killed his daughter before taking his own life. Emily Grace was killed in the backseat of the pickup truck, while her father was slumped over in the front with a gun resting on his lap.
Authorities had yet to say what led to the suspected murder-suicide along with what friction may have existed between the 9 year old’s mother and the slain girl’s father.
Community members are mourning the loss of the 9-year-old child, who was described by her family as having “the most joyful smile and the biggest heart.” A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support funeral expenses and has raised over $25,000 as of Thursday morning.
