Erica Atkins.Photo: Facebook
Cedar Creek is several miles from Atkins' bookstore. Atkins, 42, had been reported missing on Sunday.
Local news outlet11Alive reported that 38-year-old Romero Johnson, an employee and former romantic partner of Atkins', was arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder in connection with her death.
It was not immediately clear if Johnson has entered a plea or retained an attorney.
The victim’s daughter, Jasmine Atkins, said the family was devastated. “We’re hurting. She kept everyone together,” she told the outlet.
Henry County Sheriff
Investigators used cameras to track down Johnson after he was identified as a suspect. The father of Atkins' youngest childtold Fox 5 Atlantahe was aware Johnson had dated the bookstore owner, but she had broken up with him.
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Atkins was a beloved business owner and her bookstore would regularly host community events. An outpouring of grief has been shared on Birdsong Books’FacebookandInstagrampages in the wake of the tragic news.
“Seems so unreal, she was [one of] my childhood best friends, praying for her kids and family. I’m going to miss you Erica,” a user with the handle daniellelovett30shared under an Instagram video of Atkins dancingin the bookstore.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
