In the quiet town of Oxford, Georgia, a tragic event unfolded on October 23, 2015, ending the life of 31-year-old Amanda Leigh Freeman Atkins. A resident of Oxford, Amanda was a mother who was remembered for her love of animals, shopping, and trips to the beach. Her life, however, was cut short in a violent act that stunned the local community.
On that Friday morning, Newton County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a home on Deer Trail around 9:15 a.m.
following a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Amanda Atkins deceased inside the residence at 275 Deer Trail from apparent gunshot wounds. Witnesses at the scene directed law enforcement across the street to another house at 454 Deer Trail, where the suspect was believed to be located.
The suspect was identified as Amanda's husband, James Michael Atkins. After attempts to make contact with him were unsuccessful, a SWAT team breached the second residence at approximately 2:30 p.m. Inside, they found James Michael Atkins deceased from what was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigations into the incident revealed that the couple had been experiencing marital problems, according to their landlord and neighbor. The neighbor noted that James had stayed at his house just two nights prior to the murder-suicide. The case concluded with the determination that James Michael Atkins shot and killed his wife before taking his own life.
