ContestsEvents

LISTEN LIVE

Missing Augusta Woman Found Dead in Atlanta

A missing Augusta woman has been found dead in Atlanta, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators released information about 36-year-old Shekema Toran last week after her family reported…

Missing Augusta woman Shekema Toran found dead in Atlanta. Her boyfriend is being sought

SHEKEMA TORAN

Richmond County Sheriff's Office

A missing Augusta woman has been found dead in Atlanta, according to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators released information about 36-year-old Shekema Toran last week after her family reported her missing on Wednesday. The Sheriff's Office says Toran was last seen near Diamond Lakes Park on July 31.

At the time, Toran's family said she was believed to be with her boyfriend, 37-year-old Barritz Dante Martin, of Augusta. Toran's mother said the two were at her home when they began arguing. Toran's mother asked Martin to leave and he did. She said Martin returned two hours later to pick Toran up, and that's the last time she saw her daughter.

At the time Toran was reported missing, family members said the two were believed to be in Martin's white 2004 F-250 with Georgia tag RJW158.

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office released a description of Martin, adding that it was believed they were headed to Atlanta.

At one point, Richmond County investigators called Martin's cell phone. He answered and was heard making what officials said were some concerning comments before hanging up.

Missing Augusta Woman Found Monday in Atlanta

Toran's family got the heartbreaking news today that her body was found Sunday morning in a car in a parking lot in Decatur County.

Decatur police were called to the Kroger parking lot in the 2300 block of Wesley Chapel Road where a woman was found dead in a parked vehicle.

That woman was identified as Shekema Toran. The cause of her death has not been released.

Meanwhile, the search for Martin continues.

missing augusta woman Shekema Toran found dead in Atlanta. Her boyfriend is being soughtRichmond County Sheriff's Office

BARRITZ MARTIN

Description of Barritz Dante Martin

  • Black
  • 6'1"
  • 160 pounds
  • Driving a white 2004 Ford F-250

Anyone with information should contact the Richmond County Sheriff's Office at (706) 821-1080 or (706) 821-1020.

Mary Liz is the News Director and Co-Host of Augusta’s Morning News on WGAC. She spent 11 years as a News Director at an Indiana Radio Station. She has also worked as a former Police and Courts Reporter for The Republic Newspaper and Assistant Marketing Director of Merchants National Bank in Indianapolis. Mary Liz focuses most on local breaking news stories, feature stories on upcoming events, or community-service related organizations and the people who serve them. She has been with WGAC since 1995.