Reward increased to $10K in 2012 DeKalb County homicide

It’s been 27 months since 18-year-old Vanessa “Honey” Malone was shot to death in a home invasion and robbery in Stone Mountain. And her killer still has not been identified.

Late Thursday, DeKalb County police announced that the reward has been increased to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible.

“The family of the victim has donated money in this case and wants to increase the reward for all potential information leading to the capture of Vanessa Malone’s killer(s),” Capt. Steven Fore said in an emailed statement.

On Oct. 23, 2012, Malone apparently interrupted three to six armed robbers who had tied up two residents and put them in a bathroom in the apartment, according to a DeKalb police incident report.

The residents, a man and a woman, told police they were in bed at the time the black-clad men armed with handguns and shotguns stormed into their apartment at the Hampton Village Apartments on Tree Mountain Parkway.

The man said the intruders took his wallet, tied up the couple and placed them in a bathtub in the rear of the apartment. The woman told police that shortly thereafter, she heard Malone enter the apartment, heard her scream and then heard several shots. She said she then heard one of the suspects bring Malone back to the rear of the apartment. The couple waited for several minutes before untying themselves and calling police.

By the time officers arrived, Malone was dead. Since her death, Malone's family has posted updates on the case on a Facebook page titled R.I.P. Honey.

“For 27 months cowards have known the truth and have been silent,” a Jan. 22 post said. “The time for JUSTICE is NOW. SPEAK UP.”

Any information on the case can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-8477, online at www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637).