Dalton, Georgia Mourns After Double Murder-Suicide Claims Lives of Pregnant Woman, Wife, and Unborn Child; Kevin Akins Identified as Gunman

The city of Dalton, Georgia, is reeling from a devastating double murder-suicide that claimed the lives of two women and an unborn child. Authorities with the Dalton Police Department have identified the victims as 35-year-old Rebeca Akins, 33-year-old Cindel Rhoden, and Rhoden’s unborn son, Noah Elliot. The perpetrator, 37-year-old Kevin Akins, fatally shot his wife and pregnant girlfriend before taking his own life, leaving behind grieving families and a community in shock.

Timeline of the Tragedyck

The sequence of events began on the morning of Wednesday, May 21, 2025, when Kevin Akins allegedly shot and killed his wife, Rebeca Akins, at her apartment on Murray Avenue in Dalton. Two days later, concerned coworkers requested a welfare check after Rebeca failed to show up for work. Police officers discovered her body with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Surveillance footage confirmed Kevin Akins leaving the apartment complex around 6 a.m. on May 21.

Following the initial murder, Kevin Akins drove to the residence of his girlfriend, Cindel Rhoden, at the Shadow Lane apartment complex. Rhoden, a mother of two who was five months pregnant, was found dead alongside Akins on May 24 by her father, who had gone to check on her after not hearing from her.

Community Impact and Family Grief

The loss of Rebeca Akins and Cindel Rhoden has left their families and the Dalton community heartbroken. Rhoden’s aunt, Lynn Barker, described her niece as a victim of manipulation, emphasizing that she was a kind and trusting individual who did not deserve such a fate.

Rhoden’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and support her two young daughters. They remember her as a devoted mother and hardworking individual.

Ongoing Investigation

The Dalton Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the double murder-suicide. While the exact motive remains unclear, authorities are piecing together the events leading up to the tragedy. The community is urged to come together to support the grieving families and to raise awareness about domestic violence resources.