The ex-husband of the Atlanta mom, who allegedly shot dead their two adult children before killing herself, reportedly grew worried about his son’s whereabouts and called police for a welfare check.
A source told CBS 46, that Dr Christopher Edwards, a prominent orthopedic surgeon in the Atlanta-area, was the one who called police to conduct a welfare check on his ex-wife Marsha Edwards’ townhouse.
According to the source, Dr Edwards was worried about their son, 24-year-old Chris Edwards, but Cobb County police would not confirm that information.
Shortly after the doctor called police, authorities arrived to the Edwards family home in Vinings, Georgia, where they discovered the dead bodies of Marsha, 58, her daughter Erin Edwards, 20, and son Chris, on Wednesday evening.
After learning of their deaths, a devastated Dr Edwards later arrived to the scene.
‘As this remains an active investigation we aren’t giving anymore information,’ a spokesperson for the Cobb County police said when contacted by the DailyMail.com.
Dr Christopher Edwards (left, with his daughter), the ex-husband of Marsha Edwards (right, center), who allegedly shot dead their two adult children (right, pictured with mom) before killing herself, reportedly grew worried about his son’s whereabouts and called police
Authorities say Erin and Chris died suffering gunshot wounds and Marsha died of ‘an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound’. Marsha pictured left with son Chris and right with daughter Erin
A source claimed Dr Edwards was the one who called police to conduct a welfare check on his ex-wife’s townhouse (pictured). Cops discovered the bodies around 6pm
According to the source, Dr Edwards was worried about their son, 24-year-old Chris, but Cobb County police would not confirm that information. Investigators are seen outside the family’s home Wednesday night
Cops arrived to the home at 3000 block of Nobility Way around 6pm and found Erin and Chris dead from gunshot wounds.
Their mother Marsha died of ‘an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound’.
Cobb County police believe Marsha shot her children before killing herself, but do not have a motive. It’s also not clear when exactly the shootings occurred.
Marsha and Dr Edwards, who leads the Atlanta Housing Authority board and also sits on the board of trustee for the Morehouse School of Medicine, were divorced. It’s not clear when they divorced.
Just two days before the brutal killings on Monday August 19, Marsha posted on social media about enjoying a vacation with her daughter Erin in Italy, sharing snaps from Vatican City, Rome and Venice.
Marsha was divorced from her children’s father Dr Christopher Edwards, a prominent orthopedic surgeon in the Atlanta-area
‘Fortunate to have dinner at The Vatican after our tour,’ she wrote in a post on Monday.
On Wednesday, the same day as the killings, Marsha shared several photos on Instagram with the caption: ‘I’ve had the best summer, first with Chis in Miami, and Erin in Italy. I could not ask for better children.’
Following the shocking deaths, Dr Edwards released a statement via the family spokesperson Jeff Dickerson.
‘Dr Edwards, his extended family and friends are in a state of grief and shock, and privacy of the family is paramount as arrangements are being made,’ it read.
The Edwards family lived in a wealthy gated townhouse community called Vinings Parc East, located about 12 miles outside downtown Atlanta, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
According to reports, the Edwards family was well known in the community and mingled in the medical and media circles in the city. They also boasted a close friendship with Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Dr Edwards is the son of the late Delmar Edwards, who was the first black orthopedic surgeon in Columbus, Georgia, and respected figure in the medical community.
The killings rocked their neighborhood where some residents described the Edwards as a ‘happy family’.
‘From our knowledge, no malice between the children or nothing like that. They just seemed like a normal happy family,’ one neighbor said to WTVM.
On Wednesday, the same day the bodies were found, Marsha shared this Instagram post saying, ‘I could not ask for better children’. By 6pm cops found their bodies
Two days before they were found dead: On Monday August 19 Marsha posted pictured smiling at Vatican City with her daughter Erin during their Italy vacation
Their last pictures together: Marsha shared these snaps in an Instagram gallery in her final Instagram post on Wednesday showing off their dream Italian vacation
Final Instagram photos: Erin pictured smiling in a yellow dress in her mom’s Wednesday Instagram post
Mother and daughter trip: The two visited Vatican City, Rome and Venice on their Italy trip
Marsha is pictured with her daughter Erin at the Colosseum
Marsha had a doctorate degree in medicine and owned medical supply company MME Enterprises, which she founded in July 2015, according to the company’s website.
In April, her daughter Erin boasted about her mother’s achievements after Marsha was named one of Atlanta’s 100 most powerful and influential women of 2019 by the Women Works Media Group.
Erin was a junior student at Boston University studying journalism. She had just wrapped up a summer internship with NBC 4 New York.
The station’s vice president, Benjamin Berkowitz, expressed condolences to Erin’s family and friends in a statement.
‘Erin Edwards was a gifted storyteller with a passion for her work,’ Berkowitz said. ‘Her enthusiasm was infectious and her smile lit up a room. She was an incredibly decent, kind person who earned our admiration. Her talent was truly God-given.’
Evening anchor Stefan Holt said in a newscast on Thursday: ‘All of us in the newsroom are just shocked to hear this news.’
‘Erin was a special person – exuberant, cheerful, a gifted story teller who just had a passion for journalism and it showed.’
Chris was digital content manager for the City of Atlanta and worked in the Mayor’s Office of Entertainment, according to WXIA.
The Edwards lived in a wealthy gated townhouse community called Vinings Parc East, located 12 miles outside downtown Atlanta
Erin Edwards was a junior student at Boston University studying journalism. Chris Edwards was digital content manager for the City of Atlanta and worked in the Mayor’s Office of Entertainment. The siblings pictured together above
The Edwards family was well known in the Atlanta community and mingled in the medical and media circles in the city
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a close family friend to the Edwards, shared this statement following news of their deaths
The family was close friends of Mayor Bottoms who shared a statement Thursday night mourning their deaths.
‘Derek and I joining the greater Atlanta community in mourning the loss of three members of the beloved Edwards family.
‘Chris and Erin were beautiful, vibrant, and brilliant young adults, whom we had the pleasure of knowing their entire live. They filled the lives of all who met them with joy, compassion and kindness,’ she said.
The family were members of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the three attended the annual convention earlier this month. It was held in Miami.
The organization shared a statement following their deaths.
‘The #NABJ family has lost three of our own. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Marsha Edwards, Christopher Edwards II and Erin Edwards.
‘This tragedy has claimed the lives of three members, but touches countless more.’
If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741