Body of missing mom Imani Roberson found near charred SUV
A Georgia mother of four young children who went missing three weeks ago has been found dead near her torched SUV – and her husband charged with her murder.
Imani Roberson, 30, was last seen July 16 leaving her mom’s house in Conyers, about 24 miles east of Atlanta, with her two youngest kids, including a 1-month-old baby, according to NBC News.
Her body was discovered by cadaver dogs Friday, not far from where the burnt remains of her white Mazda SUV had already been found in a secluded area about 24 miles from home, officials said at a press conference Saturday.
“When I couldn’t reach Imani almost three weeks ago, I knew something was wrong,” her mom, Clarine Andujar-White, told the press conference.
“Late last night my worst fears were confirmed and our family is devastated.”
After the July 16 dinner at her mom’s house, Roberson left to take her baby and 3-year-old child home, leaving her two older kids, who are aged 9 and 7, according to officials.
Roberson had been in the process of moving in with her mom, her dad, Ronald Acklin, told 11 Alive, without elaborating on why.
Andujar-White filed a missing-person report the next day after getting no response to calls and finding no one at her daughter’s home, she said.
Police were immediately suspicious after finding blood at Roberson’s home, CNN reported.
“It was clear that foul play was evident in the disappearance of Imani,” Levett told reporters.
Doorbell video from Roberson’s neighbor shows her vehicle backing out of her driveway and speeding off after a loud sound was heard, 11 Alive said.
“That was a gunshot from a distance,” her dad told the outlet, which said it was unable to confirm his description of the sound.
Roberson’s husband, Donell Roberson, was arrested at an apartment in Atlanta on Friday night, hours after his wife’s body was finally found, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett said.
He was charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during commission to attempt a felony.
“When that body was found, it was our mission, especially mine, to make sure that we could convince our judges and/or DA’s office that we have enough evidence to secure a warrant and to get him off the street,” the sheriff said.
“This investigation is still ongoing and I can assure you that another arrest will be made,” he added, without elaborating.
None of Roberson’s four children were hurt.
During a court appearance Sunday morning, Anderson was represented by a public defender but he will eventually retain his own lawyer, officials said.
Levett stressed the dangers of domestic violence and urging victims to report abuse.
“If there’s anyone that’s out here that is involved in a toxic relationship, whether you are receiving mental abuse, verbal abuse, or physical abuse it is not worth keeping quiet and we need for you to step out and say something so we can end such tragedies like this,” he told reporters.
“These are four kids now without a mother and unfortunately now without a father.”
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