ATHENS, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County investigators say they are close to solving the homicide of a 26-year-old Atlanta woman found shot to death in her own burned-out car.
Darla Gibbons’ burned body was found Wednesday less than a mile from her mother's home in Athens.
"Darla was a happy-go-lucky person,” said her mother, Sandra Johnson.
Police found the 26-year-old shot to death inside her own burned-out car at a rock quarry off Winterville Road next to the airport, which is less than a mile from her mother’s Athens home.
Johnson says her daughter was tortured, killed, stuffed in the trunk of her car and set on fire.
"Why would you torture somebody like that and burn them, and stuff them in the trunk of the car? That's what hurts,” said Johnson.
Police and GBI investigators only confirm she was shot to death before being burned in the car. Police told Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach they don’t believe Gibbons was shot and killed at the rock quarry. They believe it was used merely as a dump site.
GBI special agent in charge Mike Ayers says they've arrested her long-term boyfriend Rodricus Ward, of Greene County. He's in custody on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, charges unrelated to Johnson's murder. But investigators are expecting additional charges soon.
“At this point in time we’re in consultation with both district attorneys’ offices and anticipate additional charges forthcoming,” said Ayers.
Gibbon's mother says she and Ward were high-school sweethearts and went to prom together, but she didn't know they continued a long-term relationship.
"I may never know the exact answer but we're staying prayerful that answers will come,” said Johnson. “I know my strength comes from God, who's keeping me now."
Gibbons was living in Atlanta, where she worked for CarMax. She was last seen there Monday around 7:30 p.m.
Investigators did go to her apartment, but don't believe she was killed there.