PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. (West Georgia Times) — After nearly nine years of uncertainty, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that it has concluded its investigation into a high-profile cold case from 2017, ruling the woman’s death a suicide.
Sheriff Ashley Henson at a news briefing said investigators — working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and forensic experts — reviewed the evidence in the death of 35-year-old Heather Turner, who was found with a gunshot wound in her Dallas area home on May 4, 2017. Authorities determined the manner of death to be suicide after years in which the case remained unresolved and the cause undetermined.
What Happened
Turner’s death was initially classified as undetermined, and the case drew public interest and speculation over the years. Officials reopened the investigation after Henson took office and formed a dedicated cold-case unit.
At the news conference, Capt. Mike Hill and cold-case analysts described key pieces of evidence that led to the conclusion. They said analysts verified the handwriting on a note found at the scene as Turner’s and that forensic testing showed she had gunshot residue on her hands while no residue was found on her husband’s hands. DNA consistent with Turner’s was also found on the firearm’s trigger guard.
Where and When
The original incident occurred at Turner’s home in Paulding County in May 2017, and the sheriff’s office announced the resolution at a news conference on Friday.
Why the Case Mattered
Turner’s death remained a subject of public curiosity and online speculation for years, partly because law enforcement had not initially ruled out foul play. By revisiting the evidence with updated investigative protocols — including more detailed crime-scene documentation and interviews — the sheriff’s office and its partners were able to reach a conclusion that officials say aligns with the physical findings.
Response
Sheriff Henson called the case “one of the most difficult” his department has handled and said the resolution brings closure to a long-standing investigation. The sheriff’s office also addressed rumors that had circulated about the case, saying the final conclusion is grounded in forensic evidence.
Turner’s family did not attend the press briefing, and a representative for the family reiterated on social media that the “Justice for Heather Turner” page remains active, though the sheriff encouraged open dialogue about the findings.
