GBI Investigating Apparent Murder-Suicide After Woman Found Shot to Death in Pickens County

JASPER, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is examining what authorities believe may be a murder-suicide after a woman was found fatally shot inside her Jasper home and a man was later discovered dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at a neighboring residence.

According to the GBI, agents were requested by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death of 53-year-old Reina Cedeno of Jasper.

At approximately 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, a 911 caller reported finding Cedeno deceased inside her home in the 700 block of Hobson Road.

Cedeno’s body was transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy determined she died from a gunshot wound.

As the investigation progressed, authorities obtained a search warrant for a neighboring residence in the 700 block of Hobson Road.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. Thursday, July 2, members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, GBI agents, and Pickens County deputies surrounded the home and spent about two hours attempting to contact and negotiate with the resident, identified as 48-year-old Mark Little of Jasper.

Before entering the home, investigators used video technology to view the interior and observed what appeared to be Little’s body inside.

SWAT officers then entered the residence and found Little dead from what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has also requested the GBI investigate Little’s death.

His body will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Authorities said the investigation remains active and ongoing. At this time, the GBI and the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office believe there is no ongoing threat to the public.