Murder Suspect In GA Woman's Death Was Illegal Immigrant: Reports

SMYRNA, GA — A Honduran national recently accused of strangling a Marietta woman to death at Pat Mell Road near South Cobb Drive unlawfully entered the U.S. four years ago, immigration officials told media outlets.

Hector David Sagastume Rivas, 21, was accused of killing Camillia Williams, a 52-year-old mother of five, both WSB-TV and Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Williams' body was found on March 12 in some bushes in the 200 block of Pat Mell, Fox 5 reported.

Williams died after Rivas was accused of choking her into unconsciousness before kneeling and putting his body weight on her neck, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing an arrest warrant. Williams died from the weight on her neck, the AJC reported.

The details were shared on a GoFundMe established for Williams, which stated she had eight grandchildren. The fundraiser collected nearly $800 of its $5,000 goal as of early Monday afternoon.

"He stalked her, preyed on her, viciously attacked her, put her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness, and then placing both of his knees on her neck with his bodyweight until she was dead. He stayed there with her body for several hours, sexually assaulting her after he murdered her and even passed by the next day to see if she was still there," read the GoFundMe.

Rivas on March 17, 2021 illegally entered the U.S. and was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol but was later released, Fox News reported, citing the Department of Homeland Security.

"He was issued a notice to appear and paroled into the country by the previous administration. A judge ordered him removed on July 11, 2023," Homeland Security told Fox News.

Cobb County Police charged Rivas on suspicion of capital murder in connection with Williams' death, Fox News reported.

Cobb County Jail records showed Rivas, with a Florida address, was arrested Tuesday. He remained incarcerated Monday, jail records showed.

"ICE has lodged an immigration detainer with the Cobb County Jail. President (Donald) Trump and Secretary (Kristi) Noem will not allow criminal illegal aliens—including accused murderers—to be loose on America’s streets," Homeland Security told Fox News.

Williams' family told the AJC they do not believe she was known to Rivas. The family told the news outlet that Williams relocated to Atlanta from New Orleans, Louisiana at least five years ago.

One of 13 children, Williams has survived tragedies to include Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the AJC reported.

“My mama didn’t deserve that at all,” oldest daughter Gwen Williams told the AJC. “My mom was really loved.”

Gov. Brian Kemp released a statement on social media, saying Williams was "brutally taken from this world." Kemp added he supports the Trump administration's efforts on illegal immigration.

"Those who commit acts of violence against our people will face the full weight of our justice system, and if they are here illegally, we will not hesitate to work with our federal partners to ensure their removal from our state and country," Kemp said.

Williams' death came more than three years after Laken Riley was killed by a Venezuelan national who was in the U.S. illegally in February 2022 on the campus of the University of Georgia.

Riley was an Augusta University student at the College of Nursing campus in Athens. She had gone for an early morning jog, and when she did not return home, a friend reported her missing.

Authorities previously accused Ibarra of disfiguring Riley's skull before reportedly dragging her to a secluded area in an effort to conceal her death.

In November 2024, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard sentenced Ibarra to life in prison after finding him guilty of several charges, including malice murder and felony murder.

Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law in January, imposing specific requirements on Homeland Security officials regarding immigrants who commit certain crimes.