Boston University student killed in apparent murder-suicide in Georgia, police say

BOSTON — The Boston University community is mourning the loss of a student who was a victim of a murder-suicide in Atlanta.

The news has devasted not only neighbors, but also members of NABJ, which is the National Association of Black Journalists. On Thursday, they began mourning a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her.

"For something like this to happen and to unfold, that's unbelievable," said Talia Cartall, a neighbor.

Police say Dr. Marsha Edwards shot her 20-year-old daughter, Erin, and her 24-year-old son, Christopher, before taking her own life inside her townhouse. Police found their bodies Wednesday night during a welfare check.

As of right now, the motive is unclear and police are investigating.

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"We didn't hear anything," Cartall said. "There's no sign of any, you know, violent happening."

Erin was a journalism student at Boston University, just weeks away from starting her junior year. She was supposed to be on campus earlier this week to work with incoming freshmen on projects.

A university spokesperson told Boston 25 News that she was an outgoing and involved student, and that her loss has left the school community in shock. Everyone who knew Erin say she lit up a room.

"Erin would walk into a room, and you would ask yourself, 'who is that?'" said Dean Kenneth Elmore of Boston University.  "She just had an incredible presence."

Edwards was on a four-year scholarship to BU from the Posse Foundation, which helps students with high academic and leadership potential. She was one out of nine students in the Atlanta area to be accepted.

"You can see that she is a model for those kinds of students," Dean Elmore said. "She was a leader and she just had this way about her that people noticed."

Edwards was the editor-in-chief for BU's Charcoal Magazine. The vibrant college student was also part of the university's radio station, WTBU, where she was on the show 'Man Eater.'

"It looked at women and women of color, and conversation, and an editor with the magazine," Dean Elmore said.

The 20-year-old was most recently interning at a New York local television station. She had high aspirations.

Erin's father and her mother's ex-husband, Dr. Christopher Jones, is a prominent Atlanta orthopedic surgeon and community leader.

A family spokesperson said in a statement, quote:

Doctor Edwards, his extended family and friends are in a state of grief and shock, and privacy of the family is paramount as arrangements are being made.

Neighbors say they weren't aware of any family turmoil.

"From our knowledge, no malice," Cartall said. "Between the children, nothing like that. They just seemed like a normal, happy, cool family."

Recently, Erin's mom shared pictures of her and Erin on their trip to Italy. The tragedy has touched many in their neighborhood.

"Really made a huge impact," Cartall said. "For everyone in the neighborhood, I know their family, we're keeping them all in our prayers."

Police haven't said who requested the welfare check that led to the discovery for the family's bodies. In the meantime, Boston University is making grief counselors available.

Funeral arrangements for the family will be held on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Cox Media Group