Husband arrested in death of Rockdale County mother of 4
The family of a mother of four who went missing nearly three weeks ago in Rockdale County had to say their goodbyes after her body was found Friday evening, officials confirmed.
Imani Roberson, 29, had been last seen July 16 after leaving her mother’s house in Conyers following dinner, Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett previously said. Roberson then drove home with her two youngest children — a 3-year-old and a 1-month-old — while the other two, 11 and 9 years old, stayed with their grandmother, Clarine Andujar-White.
The body was located Friday evening by a cadaver dog. Once the body was examined, Levett said during a news conference Saturday morning that it matched Roberson’s description. The location where the body was found was not released.
“Today is a very difficult day for our family,” Andujar-White said. “I knew that when I couldn’t reach Imani almost three weeks ago, I knew something was wrong. Late last night, my worst fears were confirmed and our family is devastated.”
Levett said “it was clear that foul play was evident in the disappearance of Imani,” which then led investigators to her husband. Donell Anderson was arrested soon after Robertson’s body was located and is facing charges of felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, officials said. The Rockdale SWAT team and Atlanta police surrounded an apartment on Metropolitan Parkway. Anderson was taken into custody after a brief standoff.
Another arrest is expected, Levett said, but no other details were released on that person or their involvement.
“I have expressed my sympathy to the mother and father and the family, and I promised them that I was going to find Imani and find out who done something to Imani and that, today, we have done,” Levett said.
Days following Roberson’s disappearance, investigators gathered enough information to get a search warrant and sweep her home, where Levett said blood was found. Evidence uncovered during several executed search warrants led officials to Atlanta in south Fulton County, where Levett said they found her white Mazda SUV burned from the inside out.
Andujar-White reported Roberson missing after finding her home empty. Levett said Andujar-White called Roberson, who lives just two streets away, multiple times July 17 but got no answer. The mother and daughter talked every day, and it was out of character for Roberson to not call and check on her children, he added.
The victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to support her children, who the sheriff’s office said are all safe.
“These are four kids now without a mother, and unfortunately now without a father. And now the grandparents are stuck to raise these children,” Levett said. “These children are going to need a lot of counseling, they’re going to need a lot of support.”
Levett said the investigation remains active. Anyone who has information about the case or who spoke to Roberson, her children or her husband is asked to contact investigators at 770-278-8000.