In the fall of 2021, the seemingly successful life of 46-year-old Ronnell Burns came to a tragic end in what police have described as a murder-suicide. On the evening of November 6, 2021, in their Sandy Springs, Georgia, home, Ronnell was shot and killed by his 44-year-old wife, Keianna Burns, who then took her own life. The couple had moved to the Atlanta area from St.
Louis just six months prior to expand their businesses, which included a beauty and barber salon and a ministry.
The couple, who were also social media influencers with a significant following, presented a picture of a happy, blended family with eight children from their current and previous relationships. They were known for their entrepreneurial spirit and for being motivational figures within their community. However, in the weeks leading up to the tragic event, Keianna had taken to social media to express her struggles with the move and the challenges of being in a new city without a strong support system. In a Facebook Live video, she asked for prayers, revealing that the transition had not been easy.
On the night of the incident, the couple was home alone. Their teenage daughter, who was not at the residence at the time, reportedly called the police to report a domestic dispute. Neighbors also reported hearing gunshots. When law enforcement arrived at the home, they discovered the bodies of Ronnell and Keianna. Investigators have confirmed that there was no one else present in the home at the time of the shootings and that there was no prior record of domestic violence at their address.
The investigation into the deaths of Ronnell and Keianna Burns concluded that it was a domestic violence incident. According to Sandy Springs police, Keianna Burns was the sole suspect in the shooting of her husband. As she died by suicide at the scene, no arrests were made in connection with Ronnell's death. The case is considered closed due to the death of the suspect.
