Murder Probe After Body of Mom-of-Two Brittany Wicklein Found Burning by Road
A homicide investigation is underway after the body of a mother-of-two was found burning on the side of the road in Georgia last week.
Brittany Wicklein, 31, was reported missing on Thursday after last being seen getting into a vehicle in the 700 block of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard in northwest Atlanta, WXIA-TV reported.
In the early hours of Friday morning, authorities in South Fulton responded to a call about a fire on the side of Jones Road. Officers arrived at around 4.30 a.m. local time and discovered human remains.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed it was Wicklein's remains that were found.
"Our sister, Brittany, was tragically murdered on June 18th," Demetrius Scott wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds to cover the costs of her funeral and support her two children.
The post added that Wicklein was murdered after being abducted outside her family's home.
"Brittany was the sole breadwinner for her family," Scott wrote, adding that she was "a protector and hero of her kids."
"We are going to continue this fundraiser so that Brittany's family can pay for funeral expenses and also help the family moving her from Atlanta to Indiana."
Wicklein and her children moved to Atlanta from Indiana to seek a better life and were living with her aunt, Melba Scott, according to WXIA-TV. She worked in the medical field, and loved music and dancing.
"She was so outgoing. She was so good to people. She was young, she was full of life, she gave it all," Melba Scott told the station. "I wish I could turn back the clocks because I wish I could protect her."
Wicklein's death came just days after another incident, in which human remains were found in similar circumstances in South Fulton. Police discovered those remains after responding to a vehicle fire in the 4100 block of Union Road on June 12.
According to the South Fulton Police Department, preliminary investigations revealed both cases originated in the city of Atlanta's jurisdiction, and that officers are working with the Atlanta Police Department on the investigations.
"The investigations are ongoing and limited information is available to be released at this time," South Fulton police said in a news release.
The South Fulton Police Department, the Atlanta Police Department and Wicklein's family have been contacted for additional comment.
