Ruling In Twins' Deaths Atop GA Mountain Released

HIAWASSEE, GA — Twin Lawrenceville brothers found dead from gunshot wounds atop Bell Mountain in March died by suicide, Georgia authorities have determined.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday shed new light into the days leading to the deaths of twins Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis, 19, of Lawrenceville.

They were found dead with gunshot wounds around 11 a.m., March 8, on top of the Hiawassee, Towns County mountain, the GBI previously said.

After initially reporting their deaths were an apparent murder-suicide, the GBI now says the Lewises both died by suicide, as authorities said the twins' injuries were self-inflicted.

The GBI said authorities informed the Lewis family of the determination.

The Lewis family had previously refuted claims of a murder-suicide, telling reporters the brothers were protective of one another and had a support system.

"They had no reason to take their own lives," Samira Brawner, the twins’ aunt, told Fox 5 Atlanta. "It feels like a nightmare."

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The family said the twins were supposed to be traveling at the time of their deaths, but on Wednesday, the GBI said Naazir Lewis was the only one with an airline ticket and was the only one who went to the airport on March 7.

However, he never got on the plane and instead returned home, authorities said.

Two days prior, the GBI said he bought the ammunition that was used in the gun. The ammunition had been delivered to his home.

The state agency added internet history from their cell phones displayed searches for loading a gun, 2024 suicide rates and related searches.

The GBI claimed forensics showed the twins fired a gun. Other evidence included cell phone location data and videos that showed the twins were alone from the time they left their Gwinnett County home to the time they arrived at Bell Mountain, the GBI said.

Aunt Sabriyah Brawner told Fox 5 the Lewises had no purpose for being on Bell Mountain.

"Foul play was definitely involved," she told the TV news outlet. "I feel like they were murdered."

Authorities said they plan to formally close the case in the coming weeks.

If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, there are resources available. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline operates 24 hours a day and can be reached at 988. The Crisis Text Line can provide support through text messages by texting "HOME" to 741741.

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