The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Autopsy: Asphyxiation killed student at CAU
Two charged with felony murder in death of Alexis Crawford.
Alexis Crawford’s (left) roommate, roommate’s boyfriend are suspects.
A Clark Atlanta student died from asphyxiation, an autopsy determined. And her alleged killers were her roommate and that roommate’s boyfriend, according to police.
A day after the body of Alexis Crawford was found in DeKalb
Co u nty, both suspects were behind bars at the Fulton County Jail, according to
Atlanta police. Jordyn Jones and Barron Brantley, both 21, have been charged with felony murder.
Crawford, 21, was reported missing by her family on Nov. 1. But by then, it’s likely she had already been killed, according to investigators.
“The case has come to one of the saddest conclusions possible and has been absolutely heartbreaking,” Atlanta police Chief Erika Shields said during a Friday news conference. “To Alexis’ family, our hearts go out to you. I am so truly sorry that we could not provide you with a better ending.”
An autopsy conducted by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Crawford died from asphyxiation, or a lack of oxygen. No further details about how she died were released Saturday.
Though the investigation into Crawford’s death continued, a pos
sible motive may have been related to a sexual assault Crawford reported to police on Oct. 27. Brantley was the suspect in the Oct. 26 incident, which allegedly happened at the apartment Crawford shared with Jones while the three were consuming alcohol, the report states.
Crawford told police she blacked out and wasn’t sure of everything that Brantley allegedly did. She underwent a medical exam at Grady Memorial Hospital following the incident. And after the assault, Crawford told friends she was uncomfortable in her own room, so she had been sleeping on the couch in the living room, according to a police report.
After the assault, Crawford and Jones weren’t on speaking terms, Jones told police. But Crawford asked her roommate to take her to a liquor store on Oct. 30, Jones said. Surveillance images captured the last photos of Crawford alive.
The following morning, Jones said she left for class and Crawford wasn’t in the apartment. On Nov. 1, Crawford’s family reported her missing, and Atlanta police began an investigation.
In the days that followed, Crawford’s family had pleaded for her safe return.
“Baby, I love you, baby,” her father said through tears during a news conference Monday at Atlanta police headquarters. “Just come home, baby. Just come home.”
Instead, one of the suspects led investigators to Crawford’s body, Shields said.
Late Friday, Brantley was booked into the Fulton County Jail and charged with murder, records showed. His arrest violated his bond condition for a previous February arrest on theft, battery and cruelty to children charges, booking records showed. Saturday morning, Brantley waived his first court appearance. He will remain in jail until his next court appearance on Nov. 22.
Jones has also been charged with murder. She was arrested Saturday, Atlanta police said.
“I’ve spent most of today in Athens, Georgia, consoling the family of Alexis Crawford and assisting them with the unthinkable task of planning her funeral. The family is simply devastated and heartbroken that their beloved ‘Lexi’ was so senselessly murdered,” said the Rev. Markel Hutchins, a spokesman for the family.
Crawford’s funeral will be held at noon Saturday at Hill Chapel Baptist Church, 1692 W. Hancock Ave., Athens. The family asks that any cards or financial contributions be made directly to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, the metro Atlanta-based funeral home handling arrangements.
In a letter to the Clark Atlanta community, university President George French called Crawford’s death “the worst possible news” and an isolated, off-campus incident.
“Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with her family and with everyone who knew and loved Alexis,” French said in the letter, posted on social media.
In a letter to the Clark Atlanta community, university President George French called Crawford’s death ‘the worst possible news’ and an isolated, off-campus incident.