Dalton, Georgia – Authorities are investigating a tragic incident involving a man suspected of committing a double murder before taking his own life. The case centers around Kevin Andrew Akins, 37, who is alleged to have fatally shot his wife and girlfriend in separate locations within a matter of hours.
The sequence of events reportedly began in the early morning hours of May 21, when Kevin Akins allegedly shot his wife, 35-year-old Rebeca Nicole Akins, at their apartment on Murray Avenue. According to police, after the alleged assault, he drove to an apartment complex on Shadow Lane, where he killed his girlfriend, 33-year-old Cindel Mae Rhoden, before ending his own life.
Officers were first alerted to a potential crisis on May 23 when coworkers expressed concern about Rebeca Akins, who had not been in contact for several days. Upon arriving at her apartment, police discovered her deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. An investigation quickly ensued, with detectives analyzing surveillance video that captured Kevin Akins leaving the apartment in the early hours of that fateful day.
As the investigation progressed, law enforcement tracked his vehicle to the Shadow Lane location. They observed a man, later identified as Rhoden’s father, entering the apartment where the second shooting occurred. The man exited shortly after and called emergency services, reporting the discovery of two bodies within.
Residents of the Murray Avenue apartments, where the initial incident occurred, expressed shock and concern over the events. Vickey Tinsley, a neighbor, described her surprise upon seeing police activity and yellow tape surrounding the area. “I was really taken aback. It’s usually very quiet here,” she said, noting that such violence is uncommon in the neighborhood.
The investigation continues as authorities attempt to piece together the events that led to this devastating situation. Neither family has been publicly identified, as officials are prioritizing notification of relatives before releasing further details.
While the motive remains unclear, the impact of these tragic events is being felt deeply in the community, prompting residents to reflect on the violence that has now disrupted their peaceful surroundings. Additional information is expected as the investigation unfolds, but for now, the families involved remain in the thoughts of a shaken community.