Rachel Elizabeth Fabrizio was a 64-year-old woman living in Douglas, a small community in southern Georgia. She had been married to John Anthony Fabrizio for 33 years, and together they had two sons, James Nicholas Fabrizio, 28, and William Christopher Fabrizio, 26. According to court records, Rachel had recently filed for divorce on September 9, 2026, about a month before her death.
A divorce agreement attached to the filing indicated she was employed as a supervisor at a Walmart e-commerce facility in Douglas. She and her husband, along with their two sons and one son's girlfriend, all lived together in a home on Robin Lane in the Touchton Woods neighborhood.
The night of Friday, October 9, 2026, ended in unimaginable tragedy for the Fabrizio family. At approximately 11:09 p.m., Rachel placed a 911 call from the home. She reported a domestic disturbance, complaining to the dispatcher that her husband, John, was smoking inside the house and that the smoke was "killing her." Shortly after this call, a horrific act of violence unfolded. When officers from the Douglas Police Department and deputies from the Coffee County Sheriff's Office arrived at the residence on the 1800 block of Robin Lane, they were met with a devastating scene.
Inside the house, authorities discovered four adults who had been fatally shot. A fifth person was found with critical gunshot wounds and was rushed to Coffee Regional Medical Center, but succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead. The investigation quickly revealed the incident to be a murder-suicide. Police determined that John Anthony Fabrizio, 64, had shot and killed his wife, Rachel, their two sons, James and William, and William's 26-year-old girlfriend, Rosaida Figueroa Berrios, before turning the gun on himself.
The investigation was handled by the Douglas Police Department, with assistance from the Coffee County Sheriff's Office. Investigators processed the scene, collecting physical and digital evidence. Based on their findings, they concluded that John Fabrizio was the sole perpetrator and that there was no ongoing threat to the public. Police did not release an official motive for the killings, though the recent divorce filing was noted in reports. Autopsies were scheduled to be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The loss devastated the small city of Douglas. At a press conference the day after the shooting, Coffee County Sheriff Fred Cole described the scene as "hard for everybody involved." He spoke of the close-knit nature of the community, saying, "We’re a close community, and we’re going to take care of each other." Douglas Mayor Tony Paulk also commented on the tragedy, noting that October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. "This tragedy reminds us that domestic violence is not something that happens elsewhere," he said. "It happens here, in our communities, to our friends, families, and neighbors."
The Douglas Police Department extended its condolences to the loved ones of the victims and acknowledged the profound impact the loss had on the community, asking the public to respect the family's privacy during their time of grief. As of October 2026, the investigation was considered ongoing, though no additional suspects were being sought. The preliminary findings pointed to a murder-suicide, with the primary suspect deceased.
Authorities have asked that anyone with information related to the case contact Investigator Brittany O’Steen at (912) 384-2222 or via email at [email protected]. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Douglas Police Department Tip Line at (912) 260-3600.
