On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015, a festive dinner in Acworth, Georgia, turned into a scene of tragedy with the violent deaths of 60-year-old Ellen DeLoach and her 58-year-old husband, Michael 'Brad' DeLoach. Ellen, a white female and a talented artist whose work was gaining recognition in Atlanta and Chicago galleries, was celebrating the holiday at home with her husband and other family members.
The holiday gathering was shattered when Ellen's son, 34-year-old Dustin Ray Dixon,
emerged from the basement armed with a. 40-caliber handgun. Dixon, who was reportedly angry with his mother and stepfather, opened fire, fatally shooting both Ellen and Brad DeLoach. The horrific event unfolded in front of horrified relatives, including his grandmother and aunt, who managed to escape the home unharmed and call the police. Neighbors also reported hearing gunshots and seeing a woman running down the street screaming.
When Cobb County police arrived at the Camden Lake Drive residence, they found Ellen and Brad DeLoach deceased inside. Dustin Ray Dixon was located in the front yard of the property and was taken into custody without incident. He was subsequently charged with two counts of murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
In the years following the murders, Dixon's mental competency to stand trial was a recurring issue, with several psychiatric evaluations deeming him unfit. However, after receiving treatment at Georgia Regional Hospital, his competency was restored. In June 2019, Dustin Ray Dixon pleaded guilty to two counts of malice murder and two counts of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to serve life in prison for the Thanksgiving Day killings of his mother and stepfather.
