A prominent Atlanta bookstore owner was found dead in a creek, and her ex-boyfriend/coworker stands accused of kidnapping and killing her.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reported on March 6 to local media outlet 11Alive that a fisherman had discovered the body of Erica Atkins, a 42-year-old mother of two who ran Birdsong Books in Henry County.
Atkins was found a ways away from the bookstore. On Sunday, police received word that she was missing. It is believed that her murder took place in Henry County and that her body was then taken to Putnam County and left there.
Employee and ex-boyfriend Romero Johnson, 38, was named as a person of interest in the investigation. He was originally arrested and accused of kidnapping Atkins. After her body was discovered, he was charged with her murder.
An affidavit filed with the police claims that Johnson dragged Atkins out of her garage after covering her body with a sheet. Surveillance footage captures him putting her body into his car.
There were signs of blood in the trunk of Johnson’s car. The police say they found a freshly cleaned and vacuumed vehicle. Atkins’ earring was discovered in the driveway.
Atkins and Johnson allegedly dated in the past, but she ended it, according to the father of her youngest child.
A friend told the media that Atkins was a “pillar” of the community and that her bookstore was named “Small Business of the Year” by the local Chamber of Commerce.