Woman sentenced to life for murder of East Point officer

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Danielle Parker was sentenced Wednesday in Fulton County court.

She was charged with murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

She was found guilty on all counts, according to court documents.

A judge sentenced her to life for the murder charge and five years to serve for the firearm charge.

Authorities say Danielle Parker shot and killed East Point police officer Crystal Parker in July 2013. The two are not related, though police said that Danielle Parker had changed her last name to Parker.

According to police, she had moved out of Crystal Parker’s home a month prior to the killing.

Police say Crystal Parker’s body was found at her home on Creel Road in south Fulton County by someone they described as “a mother figure” to her.

At the time, officers told Channel 2 Action News they believed she may have been dead for about three days.

"We have not determined if it was the breakup of a couple, but she was determined to be an ex-roommate," Fulton County Police Cpl. Kay Lester said.

The victim's father, Joseph Parker, said the family knows the suspect, but "not very well."

He said he was thankful for the police work that led to an arrest and described his daughter with kind words.

"She was a kind person, very loving human being, and she was a smart girl, talking about going back to college," he said.

East Point Police Chief Woodrow Blue said the fallen officer was ready to be sergeant.

"She will be sorely missed," he said.

WSBTV