Missing Georgia Mom Now Feared Dead After Boyfriend Fled, Leaving Bleach-Soaked Apartment

'She was real sweet, loving, adorable, really attentive; loved her baby to death,' the victim's grandmother said

A missing Georgia mom who vanished over a month ago is now presumed dead after her married boyfriend allegedly fled their bleach-soaked apartment.

Detectives have identified Michale Edwards and his wife, Brienna Phillips-Edwards, as persons of interest in the mysterious disappearance of 23-year-old Briana Winston, according to the Clayton County Police Department.

Despite Edwards' marital status, he and Briana reportedly lived together in a Clayton County, Georgia apartment, with their 4-year-old son. She last spoke with family the morning of March 17.

"She was real sweet, loving, adorable, really attentive; loved her baby to death," Ann Thomas, Briana's grandmother, said, according to WAGA-TV.

Briana's cousin, Jasmine Walker, said loved ones asked apartment maintenance workers to check on the victim after not hearing from her for a few days.

"They said the apartment was totally cleaned out, and it smelled like bleach," Walker told the station.

It's believed Briana "was the victim of a crime that left her incapacitated in some way" and "all points of evidence indicate that she is deceased and detectives will proceed with the case as a homicide investigation," police said.

A motive remains unclear.

Edwards is currently being held on aggravated stalking charges in connection with a different case, according to the outlet.

Phillips-Edwards was arrested on charges of making false statements, but bonded out of jail. It's unclear if her alleged statements are related to Briana's disappearance and presumed death.

"Could you please just come forward and tell us something about her whereabouts and what you had to do with it, so we can find her body or find her and bring her home?" Thomas pleaded according to the station.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Tags
Missing, Murder, Domestic violence, Crime, Georgia, Investigation
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