A devastating sequence of events in Dalton, Georgia has left two families grieving and a community in shock, following the deaths of three people in what police have confirmed was a murder-suicide.
On May 23, officers responded to a welfare check request at the Murray Avenue home of 35-year-old Rebeca Nicole Akins after coworkers reported she hadn’t been seen or heard from in several days. When police entered the residence, they found Rebeca dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Security footage from the area led investigators to identify her estranged husband, 37-year-old Kevin Andrew Akins, as the primary suspect. He was seen leaving Rebeca’s home on May 21, two days before the body was discovered.
The investigation soon took another tragic turn. Police traced Kevin’s vehicle to a different location on Shadow Lane. The following morning, while awaiting a search warrant, officers were alerted by the father of 33-year-old Cindel Mae Rhoden, who had unlocked her apartment and called 911 after discovering two lifeless bodies inside.
Authorities confirmed that the deceased were Cindel — who was five months pregnant — and Kevin. It’s believed Kevin shot Cindel, who was expecting his child, before taking his own life.
A Chilling Timeline
According to initial findings, Kevin is suspected of murdering Rebeca in the early hours of May 21, before going to Cindel’s apartment where the second and third deaths occurred. The close timing of the two killings has shocked Dalton residents and left two families grappling with unimaginable loss.
Kevin had been simultaneously involved with both women. Though still married to Rebeca, he had been in a relationship with Cindel that her family described as emotionally abusive. In March, Cindel had shared an ultrasound photo, expressing joy over her baby boy’s expected arrival in September.
Families Seek Support Amidst Heartbreak
In the aftermath of the tragedy, both families have turned to the public for help with funeral costs and to provide care for the children left behind.
Emily Landen, Rebeca’s sister, started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses. “On May 23rd, we got the call you never want to get. My sister Nicole was taken from us by the man she spent 20 years with,” she wrote. Emily explained that Rebeca’s finances were closely tied to Kevin’s, even including shared life insurance, adding uncertainty to how her funeral will be paid for. The fundraiser is seeking $18,000, with just over $1,600 raised so far.
A separate fundraiser was launched by Ashley Barker to assist Cindel’s family. Ashley described Cindel as a loving mother of two daughters who had no life insurance and was preparing for the arrival of her third child. The campaign aims to raise $20,000 to support funeral costs and provide for her daughters, and has gathered just over $3,000 so far.
Remembering the Victims
Both families have stressed the importance of remembering Rebeca and Cindel not for how they died, but for who they were — strong, kind women devoted to their children and loved ones.
“We are relying on the strength of our community,” Ashley wrote. “These women deserve dignity, and their children deserve a future.”
The tragedy has sparked broader discussions in the community about domestic violence, emotional control, and how easily such situations can escalate when unnoticed or unaddressed.
For those wishing to help, both GoFundMe campaigns remain active. Donations and messages of support are appreciated as the families begin the difficult process of healing.
