A Georgia couple has been charged with murder after authorities say they killed an Atlanta bartender, dismembered his body and dumped parts of his remains in a reservoir about 30 miles west of the city.
Background
Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, were each charged with one count of murder following the death of 37-year-old Jamal Parker, according to Douglas County jail records. The investigation began on May 15 when human remains were discovered in the Dog River Reservoir, a 256-acre recreational area that also serves as a drinking-water lake located off Highway 166 in Douglasville.
Law enforcement shared photos and renderings of a tattoo found on the deceased man's body in an effort to help identify him. A woman who previously dated Parker saw the images on the news and contacted Parker's father, who provided his own DNA to investigators. On June 15, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified Parker as the victim through DNA comparison analysis.
The Investigation
The charges against Barber and Baker were filed on June 16. Authorities have not yet revealed how they connected the defendants to Parker or disclosed details about a possible motive. Investigators believe the suspects killed Parker at a residence on Langdale Chase Street in Douglasville.
In late May, investigators spent four days searching that residence, where they reportedly recovered a reciprocating saw, cleaning supplies and air fresheners. At the time of their arrest, Barber and Baker faced a separate set of charges related to identity theft, forgery and drug offenses involving stolen driver's licenses, manufactured IDs, license plates and fraudulent vehicle registrations.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate and has asked for the public's assistance in pursuing all leads in the case.
Key Takeaways
- Jamal Parker was a well-known bartender who worked at establishments across the Atlanta area, according to his father
- Human remains were first discovered on May 15; Parker was identified via DNA analysis on June 15
- Charges against Barber and Baker include one count of murder each, filed June 16
- Investigators recovered a reciprocating saw, cleaning supplies and air fresheners from the suspects' residence
- The couple faced separate charges related to alleged identity theft and forgery schemes before Parker's death
What's Next
Barber and Baker remain in custody at the Douglas County Jail without bond. No court dates have been set for the murder charges as the investigation continues.
Parker's family spoke after a court hearing this week, expressing their grief over the circumstances of his death. His father told WSB that he wants the couple punished to the fullest extent of the law.
"We can't even have a regular funeral because of his condition," the victim's father said. "I want them to be punished. And I don't even think a life sentence is good enough."