Crime & Safety
Family Seeks Answers After Mom Found Dead By 11-Year-Old Daughter
BREAKING: Karlea Thomas, 31, found dead on bathroom floor by her daughter in their southwest Atlanta home. Victim had bruises on her neck.
CASCADE, GA -- Why? That's the question that friends and family want to know after a mother was found dead in her southwest Atlanta home. For more police news and updates on this and other stories in the Cascade area, click here to get Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts.
The body of Karlea Thomas, 31, was discovered by her 11-year-old daughter on Friday, according to news reports. Police are questioning her boyfriend, but have not identified a suspect or motive in the death.
Police said that Thomas had bruises on her body, including on her neck. Authorities are awaiting a final determination from the medical examiner as to the cause of death.
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Friends and family held a vigil for Thomas on Sunday, lighting candles, mourning and yes, laughing about the memories left by their dear friend.
Emotional gathering for Karlea Renee Thomas-Her body discovered by 11y/o daughter in SW Atlanta-Lots of unanswered questions @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/PEHqoVwu9F
— Nathalie Pozo (@NathalieFOX5) March 20, 2017
"She was funny, really funny," Thomas' sister, Nina Neal told WAGA-TV. "I used to go over to her house, and we used to put on wigs. And we could make videos, like little skits."
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"She was very boisterous, my fondest memories of her was performing, dancing, singing and acting," her mother, Joya Poole told the TV station.
The victim's mother said that her granddaughter has shown uncanny strength after what she witnessed.
“She saw her mom dead, on the floor, beaten and strangled. And if nothing else, she needs to see her mom given the proper burial,” Joy Poole, told WSB-TV.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to help Thomas' daughter says this:
"A woman, mother, sister, and friend has departed from us on this day. She was full of life as she enjoyed acting and singing. As no moment like this can be foreseen such tragedies as these can endure costly on relatives and friends. We as her family ask for your support as she has left behind a beautiful 11 old daughter. Please show your support to uplift us as we prepare to pull together for a proper home going."
Police are expected to update the media on the investigation into Thomas' death later this week.
Image via GoFundMe
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