Gwinnett Police Solve Cold Case: Lawrenceville Woman Charged in 2019 Homicide

Gwinnett County Police announced the resolution of a four-year-old cold case homicide following a renewed investigation that led to the arrest of 50-year-old Carmen Marie Hunt of Lawrenceville.

The case began on July 20, 2019, when officers responded to a medical call at 475 Lexington Drive in unincorporated Lawrenceville. The victim, Ray Neal, 61, was found deceased in his bedroom by his sister, who had gone to check on him after he failed to answer her calls. Initial observations noted blood in the bedroom and bathroom, but it was unclear if it was related to his known medical conditions.

Suspicion arose when funeral home employees preparing Neal’s body noticed injuries to his neck. A subsequent autopsy by the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the injuries were stab wounds, and the case was classified as a homicide.

The investigation gained momentum in 2024 when Sgt. Hegwood of the Cold Case Unit received a tip from Neal’s family. The family alleged that Carmen Marie Hunt, who was already incarcerated for a 2022 stabbing, was responsible for Neal’s death.

Sgt. Hegwood reopened the case, reviewed security footage, conducted new interviews, and enlisted Crime Scene Specialists Heather Johnson and Judy Nicholson to reexamine fingerprints from the crime scene. With the new timeline and evidence, Hunt was brought in for questioning. Her statements, combined with the new findings, led to charges of felony murder and aggravated assault.

Hunt remains in custody at the Gwinnett County Jail, facing charges related to both the 2022 incident and the murder of Ray Neal.