In the summer of 2021, a 23-year-old African-American woman named Mirsha Victor was reported missing from the Panthersville area of DeKalb County, Georgia. Her disappearance on July 8, 2021, set off a chain of events that would uncover a story of violence and depravity. The investigation into her whereabouts quickly led authorities to the Stockbridge townhome of her 41-year-old co-worker, Dennis Lane.
Detectives, accompanying Mirsha's concerned mother, arrived at Lane's residence after he had contacted the mother. Inside the apartment, investigators discovered a grim scene that included bloodstains and a missing mattress. A search of the area revealed a blood-soaked mattress discarded in a nearby dumpster. The most disturbing evidence, however, was found on Lane's own cellphone: a video that captured the brutal murder of Mirsha Victor.
The investigation took another dark turn when the remains of two women were discovered in a wooded area behind a shopping center in Stockbridge. One of the victims was confirmed to be Mirsha Victor. The other was later identified as 19-year-old Conteshia McCoy, who had been missing since February of that year. Authorities determined that Dennis Lane was responsible for both murders.
Dennis Lane was arrested and faced a litany of charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, necrophilia, and tampering with evidence. Two other individuals, Lane's brother, 41-year-old Cleounsee Fisher, and 40-year-old Ronisha Preckwinkle, were also arrested and charged with murder and other offenses in connection with Mirsha Victor's death. In February 2022, Dennis Lane pleaded guilty to the charges against him. He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole. During the sentencing, the judge told Lane he had 'forfeited your right to live in a civilized society.' The cases against Fisher and Preckwinkle were still pending at the time of Lane's sentencing.
