The Moss and Kelley families have been linked for more than a decade. First, it was by childhood friendship that sprung up between 12-year-old Laci Moss and 10-year-old Raphael Khalil Kelley. At some point in their teenage years, that friendship turned into something more.
Now, the families are forever linked by Laci Moss’ death at the age of 23.
On July 4, officers were called to Moss’ mother’s home on Loblolly Ridge around 7:30 p.m. and found Laci with multiple gunshot wounds, Locust Grove police said. Kelley, who is now 21, was quickly identified as the shooter and warrants for murder and aggravated assault were obtained, police confirmed.
He surrendered at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on July 14 after being at large for more than a week, police said.
“She was loved very much and she will be very much missed,” Laci’s twin sister, Kimberly, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ”I talked to her every day, so I’m sort of trying to remember her every day.”
Kelley was no stranger to the family. The twins had grown up with Kelley after meeting him when they were 12. After a few years, Laci and Kelley made their relationship official.
“As we got older, my sister just stayed in touch with him and they were together for like six-plus years,” Kimberly said.
Kimberly recalled how she would often call Kelley’s phone whenever she wanted to catch up with her sister, knowing she would be with him.
Laci was living with her mother at the time of her death — a home Kelley often visited. Now her mother must not only grieve the loss of her daughter, but also transition into living alone, Kimberly noted.
“She’s not coping, she’s losing it,” Kimberly said.
A closed viewing was held Saturday at Southern Cremations and Funerals in Covington. Her sister said the family decided to have Laci cremated due to financial restrictions, but noted that funds from the GoFundMe page she created have helped.
Laci is survived by her mother, two sisters and four nieces.
“She never got to experience life, never got to have any kids,” Kimberly said.
Kelley has a preliminary hearing Aug. 24, Henry County Assistant District Attorney Megan Matteucci said. He remains in the Henry County Jail without bond.
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