News
News

Police investigating apparent murder-suicide in Griffin

The bodies were found in an upstairs bedroom.
The bodies were found in an upstairs bedroom.
By
July 19, 2020

Police are investigating after two people were found dead in a Griffin home Saturday afternoon.

Investigators believe Ashley Smith, 35, of Peachtree City, and Darcell Goggins, 36, of Griffin, died as the result of a murder-suicide, police said in a statement.

Police went to a home on Grandview Drive for a welfare check about 2 p.m., according to the statement. Officers went into the home through an unlocked back door after they were unable to contact anyone inside.

Police found the bodies of 35-year-old Smith and 36-year-old Goggins in an upstairs bedroom, the statement said.

“It appears that Goggins shot Smith and then took his own life,” Griffin police said.

Evidence from the scene was sent to the GBI Crime Lab for examination, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

About the Author

Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.

More Stories

Keep Reading

Powerball play slips are seen Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. “If you ain’t in it, you can’t win it,” says 70-year-old Larry Moore. (George Walker IV/AP)

Credit: AP

Ticket buyers flock to Georgia for shot at $1B Powerball

Alabama hopefuls cross state lines for a chance at the estimated $1 billion Powerball jackpot on Saturday.

AJC VARSITY

High school scoreboard: Friday night’s football action around the state

Trump’s expanding National Guard roles put squeeze on Georgia troops

Gov. Brian Kemp says he supports more Georgia National Guard deployments as President Donald Trump expands their roles. Critics say it's dangerous to militarize domestically.

The Latest

Powerball play slips are seen Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. “If you ain’t in it, you can’t win it,” says 70-year-old Larry Moore. (George Walker IV/AP)

Credit: AP

Ticket buyers flock to Georgia for shot at $1B Powerball

AJC VARSITY

High school scoreboard: Friday night’s football action around the state

A.M. ATL: A very ATL weekend

Featured

An aerial view captures a large area under construction for a new data center campus on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Developed by QTS, the data center campus near Fayetteville is one of the largest under construction in Georgia. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Georgia could restart regional energy, water reviews for data center proposals

Georgia is weighing rule changes to once again make certain data centers disclose information about their resource requirements to local planning authorities.

From Ponzi fallout to party power: Frost dynasty clings to Coweta GOP

By the end of the two-hour meeting, Brant Frost V had stepped down as Coweta County GOP chair. But in a show of his continued influence, he took on a new role.

After a decade of delays, $148M renovation to Cross Keys High begins

The $148 million project is expected to be completed in 2028. The school, which serves about 1,600 students, will remain open during construction.