Staff Reports

(Buford, Ga) — Officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department responded to the Preston Hills Apartment Complex located at 2910 Buford Drive in unincorporated Buford to perform a welfare check.  The caller asked the police to check on their female relative with whom they had not heard from in two days. Officers arrived shortly after 3 p.m. on June 3, 2019.

A representative for the apartment complex was able to let the officers into the unit to check on the female after the officers were unable to get anyone to come to the unit in question. Upon entry, the officers discovered a male and a female in the unit deceased. The officers could tell that the male died of an apparent gunshot wound.  The cause of death of the female was not initially known. Crime scene investigators were called to the scene.

Details recently released said that the male, identified as Jamaya Morris (40) was lying on top of the female.  The female was identified as Lachica Ringwood (39). Officers could see the gunshot wound on Morris but because he was lying on Ringwood, they could not immediately tell how she died.  After CSI arrived and removed his body, they discovered a gunshot wound to Ringwood.

The family of Ringwood stated that her boyfriend, Morris had openly fought with her in front of her family and made comments that caused her family to be concerned for her safety.  Those comments and the fact that family usually heard from Ringwood daily prompted the call to check on her welfare.

Investigators found no signs of forced entry. In a statement issued by police, they said, “The evidence and scene examination has led detectives to believe this case is a murder/suicide with Lachica Ringwood being the victim.”  

Notification has been made to their next of kin.