A 61-year-old dentist from St. Simons Island, Georgia, Suzanne Renee Mericle, has been charged with the murder of her boyfriend in Gainesville, a suburb northeast of Atlanta. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office has leveled multiple charges against Mericle, including murder, tampering with evidence, aggravated assault against a family member, possession of a firearm during a crime, obstruction, driving under the influence, and a traffic violation.
The sheriff’s office was first alerted to the incident when they responded to a call from a residence on Bayridge Drive in Gainesville around 1:15 a.m. on March 8. Upon arrival, deputies discovered an unresponsive man, later identified as 68-year-old David Barron, in a bedroom. Barron had sustained a gunshot wound to the torso.
Barron was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. Mericle is alleged to have shot Barron with a handgun. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, Mericle and Barron were in a relationship and shared the residence where the incident occurred. Mericle was present at the home when deputies arrived.
Mericle is a well-known figure in St. Simons Island, a wealthy coastal town in Georgia, where she owns a dental practice. The practice, Mericle Dentistry, enjoys a 4.8-star rating on Google with 180 reviews and is known for its slogan, “Anything is possible with a Miracle.”
Patients of Mericle Dentistry have expressed their admiration for Mericle, describing her as friendly, efficient, and professional. One patient noted that Mericle made them feel comfortable and at ease. Another patient, who has known Mericle for many years, praised her dedication to her children and her profession.
Mericle is currently being held without bond in Hall County. The investigation into the case is ongoing.