Police in Rome, Georgia confirmed on Tuesday that Mystique Malachi Amaziah Taylor, 23, and Rolanda Monique Edwards, 25, are now in custody in connection with the death of a young woman whose body was found early Tuesday morning.
The grim discovery happened near the housing development known as John Graham Homes — specifically near Hull Avenue and Cedar Avenue — when a pest‑control worker and property management staff stumbled upon a body wrapped in blankets around dawn. Neighborhood residents had earlier reported seeing a red passenger car lingering suspiciously near the scene.
Responding swiftly, the Rome Police Department launched a homicide investigation. Their search soon led to a red vehicle matching the description — which was tracked into Bartow County. Around 12:30 p.m., the car was intercepted on Highway 411, and the two occupants were arrested without incident.
Taylor faces a litany of serious charges: two counts of felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, reckless driving, attempting to elude police, speeding, failure to obey traffic control devices, and theft by receiving stolen property. Reports say he is currently being held without bond, and he’s also being held on an unspecified warrant out of Cobb County.
Edwards, meanwhile, is charged with being a party to a crime, concealing mortality, and hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal — also held without bond.
Police stressed that the investigation remains active. So far, they have not publicly identified the victim. They did, however, say she did not appear to be a resident of the John Graham Homes complex. At this stage, officials believe this was an isolated incident and have indicated there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
Neighbors and witnesses have already spoken to investigators, and the red car stopped in Bartow County is being held for possible evidence processing. Some residents said they heard sirens and saw a brief pursuit captured on video near Cartersville before the arrests.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information — especially those who saw the red vehicle lingering around Hull and Cedar Avenue early Tuesday — to contact the Rome Police Department immediately. As of now, no public statement has been made about any possible motive, nor have there been charges filed for kidnapping or other offences beyond those already announced.
