Atlanta, Georgia – Police in Clayton County, Georgia are investigating the case of a missing mother who is believed to be dead. Briana Winston was reported missing on April 1 by her family, who became concerned after she failed to show up for work and her apartment was found completely empty. The father of Winston’s 4-year-old child, Michale Edwards, and his wife, Brienna Phillips-Edwards, have been named as persons of interest in the case. Although no one has been arrested yet, Edwards is currently in custody on unrelated charges.
Police suspect that Winston vanished during the early morning hours of March 17 and was the victim of a crime that left her unable to defend herself. Her last known location was near the Garden Wood Apartments in College Park, Georgia. Clayton County Police Department has officially stated that they consider her disappearance as a potential homicide.
Edwards and Phillips-Edwards are being investigated, though they have not been labeled as suspects. Edwards is currently in the Clayton County Jail due to an aggravated stalking charge that is unrelated to Winston’s disappearance. Phillips-Edwards, on the other hand, has been arrested for making false statements to police, but it is unclear if this is connected to Winston’s case. She has since been released on bond.
Family members have described Winston and Edwards’ relationship as “rocky.” They have been actively providing assistance in the search for Winston, distributing flyers in the hopes of finding some answers. Winston’s grandmother expressed her distress, stating, “I just don’t see how it could happen to a beautiful young woman who is trying to do everything by herself. She was real sweet, loving, adorable, really attentive, loved her baby to the death.”
Clayton County Police Department is appealing to the public for any information that may aid in locating Winston.