Two Suspects Charged After Woman Found Dead in Rome Housing Complex

UPDATE: The victim has been identified as 20-year-old Kaylee B. Shackelford of Powell, Tennessee, Preliminary investigation indicates that Shackelford and Mystique Malachi Amaziah Taylor were in a relationship, and Taylor had also begun an online relationship with Rolanda Monique Edwards. At this time, investigators confirm that neither Taylor nor the victim are from Rome or Floyd County.

Original Post:

ROME, GA – Rome Police spent much of Tuesday investigating a homicide discovered around noon in the John Graham Homes neighborhood, near Hull Avenue and Cedar Avenue. Officers were called after a woman was found deceased and covered with blankets.

Witnesses told investigators they saw a red passenger car in the area shortly before the body was located. With help from surrounding agencies, officers were able to track down that vehicle in Bartow County, where it was stopped a short time later.

Throughout the day, detectives interviewed neighbors and multiple witnesses as part of what they describe as an active and ongoing investigation.

Two suspects have since been taken into custody.
Twenty-three-year-old Mystique Malachi Amaziah Taylor is being held without bond on several charges, including fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving, speeding, theft by receiving stolen property, and failure to obey traffic-control devices. He also faces felony warrants for concealing the death of another, aggravated assault, two counts of felony murder, and aggravated battery. Taylor is additionally being held for the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.

Twenty-five-year-old Rolanda Monique Edwards is also being held without bond. She is charged as a party to a crime, with warrants for concealing the death of another and hindering apprehension or punishment of a criminal.

Police remind the public that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Rome Police officials thanked the Floyd County Police Department, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office for their quick assistance in identifying and apprehending the suspects. Investigators say the teamwork between agencies played a key role in moving the case forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rome Police Department or call 911.