In the quiet town of Dalton, Georgia, a tragedy unfolded in late May of 2025, claiming the life of 33-year-old Cindel Mae Rhoden, a hardworking and kind-hearted single mother. The devastating events began to come to light on Friday, May 23rd, when coworkers of Rebeca Nicole Akins, 35, grew concerned after not hearing from her for several days. This initial welfare check at her Murray Avenue apartment led to a grim discovery: Rebeca had been fatally shot.
As investigators delved into the case, surveillance footage revealed that Rebeca's husband, 37-year-old Kevin Andrew Akins, had left her apartment on the morning of Wednesday, May 21st. The investigation then led police to a second residence on Shadow Lane, the home of Cindel Mae Rhoden, who was in a relationship with Akins. Concern for Cindel's well-being mounted as her family had also been unable to reach her.
The search for answers reached its heartbreaking conclusion in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 24th. While authorities were waiting to execute a search warrant at the Shadow Lane apartment, Cindel's stepfather arrived to check on her. Letting himself into the residence, he was met with a horrific scene and immediately called 911. Inside, law enforcement found the bodies of both Cindel Mae Rhoden and Kevin Andrew Akins.
The subsequent investigation determined that the incident was a double murder-suicide. It is believed that Kevin Andrew Akins shot and killed his wife, Rebeca, before driving to Cindel's apartment, where he murdered her and then took his own life. The tragedy was compounded by the devastating news that Cindel, a mother to two young daughters, was also five months pregnant with a son at the time of her death. The community was left to mourn the loss of two women described as devoted mothers and beloved by their families and friends.
