COBB COUNTY, Ga. — We're learning more about a murder-suicide involving a local veteran.
Channel 2 Action News obtained the veteran affairs report into Marine veteran Kisha Holmes' death.
In January, Holmes killed her three children and then killed herself.
Channel 2 Action News obtained the report that outlines shortcomings in the VA's handling of the case.
"I will never forget that January 27 when I got that call," friend Dawn Jackson said.
Jackson became friends with Kisha Holmes when they met at a transitional housing facility for veterans.
"It’s still pretty difficult to deal with,” Jackson said.
Early this year, Holmes killed her three children, and then took her own life at the Walton Crossing Apartments in Austell.
Calls for an investigation about the case at the Atlanta VA reached the nation's capital.
"I think as the situation unfolds people will understand the VA does an excellent job," Sen. Johnny Isakson said.
Now this report identified there was "...a 23-day delay in placing a high-risk for suicide flag in the patient's (Holmes') record."
That VA employees "…did not strictly comply with protocol requirements" when contacting Holmes.
Despite those errors, the report concludes "…while the facility staff did not consistently comply with some requirements, it is unlikely that these deficiencies had a direct impact on the outcome of the case."
"I just hope based on the report and what happened to Kisha there will continue to be measurable changes," Jackson said.
Jackson said she's already noticed changes at the VA, like more frequent calls from her social worker.
“We know she's looking down smiling that others are getting help because that's who she was," Jackson said. “That will be Kisha’s legacy.”
WSBTV
