In the quiet town of Tyrone, Georgia, the life of 59-year-old Sonya Auta-Reid, a Black female, came to a tragic end in a harrowing series of events that unfolded on December 18, 2023. The community was left in shock by the circumstances of her death, which authorities later described as a murder-suicide at the hands of her son. Neighbors remembered Sonya as a 'nice lady' who was often seen walking her small dog and was friendly with the local children.
The grim details began to surface
on the evening of December 19, when police were called to conduct a welfare check at a residence on McDade Street. There, they were met by a woman who recounted a terrifying ordeal. She informed officers that Khalid Auta, 32, the father of her child, had killed his mother the day before. He then held her and their infant hostage overnight. The woman was able to escape with her child after Khalid left the home.
A short time after the welfare check, law enforcement located Khalid Auta's vehicle in the nearby city of Fayetteville, engulfed in flames. Inside the car, they made a devastating discovery: the bodies of both Sonya Auta-Reid and her son, Khalid. Investigators determined that Khalid Auta died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing his mother. His body was found in the driver's seat, while his mother's was in the back.
The investigation into the murder-suicide is ongoing, with detectives processing Sonya's home for evidence. Due to the death of the primary suspect, Khalid Auta, no arrests have been made in connection with Sonya Auta-Reid's murder. The family, including Sonya's daughter and Khalid's sister, has requested privacy as they grapple with the immense loss. A memorial service for Sonya was scheduled to be held on January 12, 2024, at World Changers Church International in Fayetteville.
