Georgia cops reopen investigation into death of woman who 'accidentally' fell from a deck during an 'adult slumber party' after her family insisted she was 'murdered' and celebs including 50 Cent demanded action
Georgia police are launching a new investigation into the death of a woman who died after falling off a balcony during an adult slumber party in 2018 after an online petition was started calling for the probe which also won support from rap stars T.I. and 50 Cent
The death of of Tamla Horsford originally was determined to have been accidental by authorities in Forsyth County. The black mother of five had been found lying facedown in the backyard during an adult slumber party with seven white women on November 4, 2018.
Family and friends feared that she may have been murdered and demanded a new investigation. T.I. and 50 Cent, also have lobbied for the new investigation as part of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.
Georgia police are launching a new investigation into the death of a Tamla Horsford who died after falling off a balcony during an adult slumber party in 2018
The new probe comes after an online petition was started calling for the investigation which also won support from rap stars T.I. and 50 Cent. Some, including T.I. and 50 Cent, also have lobbied for the new investigation as part of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement
Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman today referred the case to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, reports WSBTV.
The sheriff says the new probe was being launched mid renewed requests for a second investigation.
He said it was best that an independent agency take over and pledged his department's support.
The sheriff's decision came as an online petition calling for the new investigation had been signed by more than 590,000 people.
The petition at Change.org started by Ashley Harris has a goal of reaching 1 million petitioners.
Harris expressed relief upon learning that cops are revisiting Horsford's death. 'What we've been asking for this entire time has happened,' she tells WSBTV.
The sheriff's decision came as an online petition calling for the new investigation had been signed by more than 590,000 people
The new probe had drawn support from rap stars T.I. and 50 Cent. Both rap artists posted an image of Horsford and her family claiming she was 'murdered'.
'Tamla Horsford was murdered while she attended a sleep over and with 7 white women. She was beaten and thrown off a balcony. This was the LAST Picture she took before her death. Did anyone forget this? #Black Lives Matter.
The posts referred to the Black Lives Matter movement which has spread across the country after the police-related killing of George Floyd. In the comments, 50 Cent writes where is the investigation on this one.
T.I. and 50 Cent who posted an image of Horsford and her family claiming she was 'murdered' noting the black woman died at a party attended by 7 white women and reference the Black Lives Matter movement
In the comments, 50 Cent writes where is the investigation on this one
A coroner determined that Horsford suffered from multiple blunt force injuries caused by the fall. She also suffered from 'acute ethanol intoxication,' the coroner said
A coroner determined that Horsford suffered from multiple blunt force injuries caused by the fall. She also suffered from 'acute ethanol intoxication,' the coroner said.
Her death became public knowledge in February of 2019 after a court employee, Jose Barrera, accessed documents related to the case, according to WSBTV.
Barrera was fired from his job for accessing the documents.
The party was held at the home of Barrera's girlfriend.
At one point during the party, Barrera found Horsford lying face down in the backyard. She was unresponsive.
'She's lying in the yard, basically on the patio downstairs.. She's not moving one bit. She's not breathing,' Barrera told 911.
'I'm noticing a small cut on her right wrist. She's not breathing whatsoever. I don't know if this cut was self-inflicted.'
Horsford's best friend, Michelle Graves, did not accept the coroner’s findings that the woman had died accidentally.
Jose Barrera (above), whose girlfriend hosted the party, was fired from his job as a court employee in Forsyth County last week after he accessed documents related to the case
She noted that Horsford had suffered injuries all over her body, according to the medical examiner.
‘It's impossible to get the injuries that she had from one fall,’ she said.
On social media, the hashtag #TamlaHorsford and #JusticeforTamla have been trending in recent days.
Many of the social media posts express outrage that there has been very little media coverage of the death of a black woman.
One outraged Twitter user tweeted: ‘40 year old black football mom tammy went to a "football mom" sleepover with 7 white women & she was found dead beaten up. also, 3 men were also at the sleepover.. WHERE IS THE NEWS COVERAGE OF THIS STORY?!’
‘We're glad we're not the only ones who feel there's something awry with the story and with how she lost her life,’ Graves said.
A lawyer presenting Barrera's girlfriend released a statement which read: ‘At this time, our client, as well as each person who was present on November 4, 2018, has completely cooperated with law enforcement officers in attempting to give the family and friends answers with regards to the tragic death of Tamla Horsford.
‘Every aspect of our client’s life has been investigated. She has provided answers to every question asked by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.
‘Although the investigation has not been closed, to the best of our knowledge, Ms. Horsford’s death certificate has been issued by the Forsyth County Coroner.
‘According to the coroner, the official cause of death was determined to have been caused by an accident fall from a residential deck.
‘In addition, the death certificate also states that acute ethanol intoxication was a significant condition contributing to Mrs. Horsford’s death.
Georgia cops reopen investigation into death of woman who 'accidentally' fell from a deck during an 'adult slumber party' after her family insisted she was 'murdered' and celebs including 50 Cent demanded action
Reviewed by Your Destination
on
June 14, 2020
Rating:
No comments