Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

COLD CASE: Cobb County woman looking for a fresh start turns up dead

Deborah Lee Crawford’s remains were found by a hunter in Paulding County in October 2013. Last year, officials offered $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Deborah Lee Crawford’s remains were found by a hunter in Paulding County in October 2013. Last year, officials offered $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.
By Nancy Badertscher
Nov 13, 2017

On Oct. 18, 2013, a hunter in northern Paulding County stumbled upon a decomposing body in a shallow grave at the back of an unfinished subdivision.

The near skeletal remains would eventually be identified as those of Deborah Lee Crawford, or "Peanut," as the 2-pound preemie was nicknamed at birth by her mother. It was a sad ending for the Ohio native who had battled depression and  moved to Cobb County looking for a fresh start.

Learn why police are hoping renewed attention could help them finally solve this four-year-old killing. Read the full story at MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Nancy Badertscher
More Stories

The Latest

(Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty, Unsplash)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC

Homicides down, police staffing up heading into Atlanta’s elections

Cobb mother gets 50 years in prison for toddler’s fentanyl death

Georgia judge resigns after Florida strip club arrest

Featured

Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

‘Landslide’ PSC sweep jolts Georgia Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms

Georgia Democrats put Republicans 'on notice' ahead of 2026 midterms with Public Service Commission wins.

Atlanta traffic patterns are changing, report says. How it impacts your drive.

A recent study from Texas A&M University backs up what we're all seeing: Roads are clogged all day long, and by some metrics, traffic is busier than in 2019.

Mrs. America isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty

From beauty queen to cricket farmer to grief coach, Buford resident Paige Ewing keeps it real. She is the 2025 Mrs. America, and in January she will compete for Mrs. World.