In the winter of 2016, a tragedy unfolded on a Woodstock, Georgia highway that ended the life of 43-year-old Audra Eaker. On the evening of December 27th, Audra was driving her Ford Edge westbound on Highway 92 when she was fatally shot. The incident occurred near Indian Valley Drive, bringing traffic to a halt as law enforcement descended on the scene.
Audra was pronounced dead inside her vehicle from multiple gunshot wounds to her head and face.
The sole suspect in her death was her estranged husband, 43-year-old Darrell L. Eaker II, who had been in the passenger seat of the car. Although the couple was married, they were separated at the time of the shooting. After allegedly shooting his wife five times with a. 45 caliber handgun, Darrell Eaker was reported to have dropped the weapon in the vehicle and walked away without attempting to render any aid. He was taken into custody at the scene.
Following his arrest, Darrell Eaker was charged with malice murder and aggravated assault. He was held without bond at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. In March of 2017, a grand jury indicted him on several counts, including felony murder, malice murder, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The case against Darrell Eaker proceeded to trial in October 2018. A Cherokee County jury found him guilty of malice murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, among other charges. As a result of his conviction, Darrell Eaker was sentenced to serve the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring he would be held accountable for the death of his estranged wife.
