Briana Winston, a Georgia mother who was reported missing in early April, is now presumed dead, according to a statement from the Clayton County Police Department. The authorities have identified Winston’s live-in partner and the father of her child, Michale Edwards, and his wife, Brienna Phillips-Edwards, as persons of interest in the case.
Winston’s family reported her missing on April 1 after they discovered her apartment had been thoroughly cleaned out by Edwards. A family member reported to local media that the apartment smelled strongly of bleach. It was also discovered that Winston had not reported to work since March 17.
The police believe that Winston disappeared in the early hours of March 17 and was likely the victim of a crime that left her incapacitated. Her last known location was the Garden Wood Apartments in College Park, Georgia.
The Clayton County Police Department stated, “To date, Briana Winston has not been located but all points of evidence indicate that she is deceased and detectives will proceed with the case as a homicide investigation.”
Edwards and Phillips-Edwards are currently considered persons of interest in the case. However, the police have not officially named them as suspects and no arrests have been made in connection with Winston’s disappearance. Edwards is currently in Clayton County Jail on an unrelated aggravated stalking charge. Phillips-Edwards was previously arrested for making false statements to the police, but it is unclear if this is related to Winston’s case. She has since posted bond.
Winston’s family described her relationship with Edwards as “rocky”. Her grandmother expressed her desire to know what happened to her granddaughter. The family has been actively distributing flyers in the hope of finding more information about Winston’s disappearance.
Ann Thomas, a family member, expressed her disbelief at the situation, saying, “I just don’t see how it could happen to a beautiful young woman who is trying to do everything by herself. She was real sweet, loving, adorable, really attentive, loved her baby to the death.”
The Clayton County Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding Winston’s disappearance to contact them at 770-477-3747.