News
News

'I'm going to be all right': Kisha Holmes' mysterious murder-suicide

Kisha S. Holmes, a Marine veteran, grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She is pictured here in a family photo from her childhood. She was raised by aunts after going through the state foster care system. (Family Photos)

Credit: John Spink

Credit: John Spink

Kisha S. Holmes, a Marine veteran, grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She is pictured here in a family photo from her childhood. She was raised by aunts after going through the state foster care system. (Family Photos)
March 16, 2015

On the January day a maintanence worker discovered the lifeless bodies of Marine veteran Kisha Holmes and her three children in a Cobb County apartment, hardly anyone knew that she was actually pregnant with her fourth child — or that she was carrying a devastating personal secret.

The AJC reviewed the available public records about Holmes' case and interviewed a dozen friends, family members and others who knew her. Behind her outward composure and the toughness she learned as a Marine, Holmes concealed deep wells of pain, they said. She could be mercurial, moving around with little notice.

But Holmes was also described as a loving and dutiful mother and an encouraging friend to other veterans. After learning she was HIV-positive, a close friend of Holmes recalls her saying, "I'm going to be all right. Whatever time God has left me on Earth, I'm going to live it to the fullest."

The persistent question everyone keeps asking about her life: What went wrong?

Click here to see our complete investigation into the elusive life and death of Kisha Holmes

More Stories

Keep Reading

Georgia Power's Plant Bowen in Cartersville is shown. The utility wants to add about 10,000 megawatts of power supplies in just five years, mainly to serve data centers. (Hyosyb Shin/AJC 2015)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Georgia Power, PSC staff strike deal for $16B expansion to power data centers

Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission’s staff unveiled a deal that would allow the utility to build huge amounts of new power plants, mostly to serve data centers.

DeKalb unveils long-awaited expansion of animal shelter

The expansion of the shelter in Chamblee consists of 10 climate-controlled kennel buildings, each with indoor and outdoor access and each designed to house a dozen dogs.

Soldier charged in Fort Stewart shooting scheduled for arraignment

Army Sgt. Quornelius S. Radford, accused of shooting and injuring soldiers at Georgia's Fort Stewart, is scheduled to appear at a military court Friday for his arraignment.

The Latest

Yes, each character placed in Don Mathis’ elaborate Christmas village has a backstory.

Credit: Sarah Peacock/AJC

Sweet Tea: Let’s live in tiny train town

A.M. ATL: Who’s calling?

A.M. ATL: A mystery opponent

Featured

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney — pictured during a hearing Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 — has cleared the way for Georgia's State Election Board to obtain Fulton ballots and other documents from the 2020 election. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Judge keeps alive subpoenas of Fulton County’s 2020 ballots

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney clears the way for Georgia's State Election Board to obtain Fulton ballots and other documents from the 2020 election.

Winter’s here, but warmer forecast means snow is far from certain

Despite recent frigid temperatures, this season might feel more like a typical late fall in the Peach State, making for slim chances to see any snow.

Philanthropy helped shape Atlanta. Here’s how that legacy endures.

Philanthropy helped shape Atlanta. And foundation-giving has had huge ripple effects not only in the metro area, but far beyond Georgia.