On Tuesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said that no charges are warranted in the 2018 death of 40-year-old Black woman Tamla Horsford.
As the Associated Press reports, the GBI released the results of its probe into the death of Horsford, who was found dead in the backyard of a house after attending an “adult slumber party” with several people in November, 2018. Horsford’s family have long suspected that she was murdered or there was foul play, but the GBI said a district attorney’s review of probe results “determined the facts and investigative findings do not support pursuit and prosecution of criminal charges.”
Horsford’s death was initially ruled an accident by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, and at the time it was concluded she fell from a second story balcony at the property. Her autopsy results revealed a blood alcohol level of .23, and traces of both Xanax and marijuana were also discovered. When her death was reported online, a growing number of people suspected foul play and demanded to know more about what actually happened.
Even 50 Cent and T.I. called for an investigation in her death last year. Kim Kardashian also voiced her support for a thorough investigation into the situation. While the investigation was first closed in February, 2019, the case was reopened last year.
In a response provided to 11 Alive, Horsford family attorney Ralph Fernandez said the findings weren’t shocking and there’s still work to be done.
"Anytime there’s a homicide until it is resolved the investigation is subject to being reopened," said Fernandez. He added that he has yet to receive the case file, and there’s allegedly a lack of autopsy photos, too.
Fernandez said that the fatal injuries that Horsford sustained were not consistent with the claim by authorities that she fell from a balcony.
"She couldn’t have with catastrophic injuries fall from the balcony and ended where she did. She had defensive wounds that were not accounted for by either Forsyth County or GBI," he said. "There’s not going to be any surrender. We’re not going to go away. There is going to be justice served in this case."
