Photo: Summer Veihman/GoFundMe
Authorities in Georgia are treating the death of Shekema Toran, a 36-year-old woman who went missing at the end of July, as a homicide. Toran was last seen in Augusta, Georgia, on July 31, according to a missing person’s notice issued by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office noted that Toran was believed to be traveling to the Atlanta area in a white 2004 Ford F-250, with Georgia license plate RJW-1158, driven by a man named Biarritz Martin. However, the authorities have not clarified the nature of the relationship between Toran and Martin.
Tragically, four days after Toran was last seen, her body was discovered in Decatur, Georgia, a suburb located about 140 miles west of Augusta. The grim discovery was made on August 4, when police found her deceased inside a car parked in the lot of a Kroger grocery store. The exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear at this time, according to a statement shared by a public information officer with the DeKalb Police Department.
In the days following her disappearance, Toran’s mother grew increasingly concerned after receiving strange text messages that she said “do not sound like her daughter.” The unusual communication added another layer of distress to an already alarming situation.
Authorities have now turned the case over to the Homicide Assault Unit. An officer confirmed in a statement that “a suspect has been identified and warrants have been secured,” though the names involved have not yet been released to the public.
Shekema Toran’s untimely death has left her family and friends heartbroken. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by her loved ones to help cover funeral expenses. The campaign highlights the impact she had on those around her, noting that Toran was “deeply loved by her family and friends” and that she “made an impact on this community.” Toran was also a devoted mother to three young children, further intensifying the tragedy of her loss.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a woman who was cherished by many, and authorities work diligently to bring justice to her and her grieving family.
