On what should have been a day of celebration, his 35th birthday on May 29, 2016, Howard Sewell, a male employee of the Van Michael Salon in Sandy Springs, vanished. His disappearance sparked concern among his co-workers, who held a candlelight vigil for him. The search for Sewell took a grim turn on June 3, when a man walking his dog in Paulding County discovered a body dumped behind an auto body shop.
The remains were in a state of decomposition and had been partially burned, making immediate identification impossible. Investigators had to use dental records to confirm the body was that of Howard Sewell.
The investigation into Sewell's death revealed a tragic story of a deadly trap. Sewell had been lured to a Marietta apartment with the promise of a birthday celebration with a woman he had met on social media. This woman was later identified as 20-year-old Thadeshia Clark. She and her accomplice, 21-year-old Omar Savior, had planned to rob Sewell. Their plan, however, went horribly wrong when Sewell fought back against his attackers.
During the struggle, Clark retrieved a gun and fired, hitting both Sewell and Savior. Savior then delivered a fatal gunshot to Sewell's head. After the murder, Savior and Clark, with the help of others, concealed Sewell's body. The investigation led police to Savior and Clark, and they were arrested and charged with felony murder, armed robbery, and concealing the death of another.
Both Omar Savior and Thadeshia Clark were held in the Cobb County Jail. In April 2017, Thadeshia Clark pleaded guilty to malice murder and felony murder and was sentenced to life in prison. A little over a year later, in July 2018, as jury selection for his trial was about to begin, Omar Savior also pleaded guilty to the same charges. He too was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the senseless and tragic death of Howard Sewell. Three other individuals were also facing charges for their alleged participation in concealing Sewell's death.
