A popular Atlanta-area bookshop owner was discovered dead in a creek, and one of her employees, a former boyfriend, has been charged with her kidnapping and murder.
On March 6, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office informed local media 11Alive that a fisherman in Putnam County discovered the body of Erica Atkins, a 42-year-old mother of two who owned Birdsong Books in Henry County.
Atkins was discovered several miles from the bookstore. On Sunday, she was reported missing. According to police, Atkins was presumably murdered in Henry County and her body was later dumped in neighboring Putnam County.
Her employee, Romero Johnson, 38, was identified as a person of interest. He was arrested and initially accused of kidnapping, but later of killing Atkins after her body was discovered.
According to a police affidavit, Johnson dragged Atkins from her garage while covering her body with a large sheet. On surveillance video, he is seen moving her body into his vehicle.
Blood was discovered in the trunk of Johnson’s car. According to police, the car had recently been cleaned. An earring allegedly belonging to Atkins was discovered in the driveway where the body was dragged.
According to the father of her youngest child, Atkins and Johnson dated in the past before she ended the relationship.
Her neighborhood has been in mourning since Atkins’ death. In front of the bookstore, a temporary floral monument was erected.
According to a friend, Atkins was recently honored as the regional Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year and was a well-liked “pillar” of the community.