Beyond Criminal Headlines: Mike Petchenik on the death of Tamla Horsford

Tamla Horsford died in November 2018, while attending a party at a home in Cumming, Georgia. She was a mother of five.

Horsford, 40, was found unresponsive in the backyard and appeared to have fallen from the home’s deck, about 14 feet off the ground. The following February, investigators announced Horsford’s death had been ruled accidental.

Family members and friends questioned whether Horsford could have died from the fall. Eventually, the family hired a private medical examiner who found extensive injuries all over her body.

But the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office closed the investigation, finding no evidence of foul play. To this day, Horsford’s loved ones are adamant there is more to the story.

Recently, Cox Media Group’s Nicole Bennett had the opportunity to speak with Mike Petchenik – former reporter for WSB-TV in Atlanta – about his extensive coverage of Tamla Horsford’s case.

>> Listen to the full episode below.

Beyond Criminal Headlines is a true crime podcast where every few weeks, host Nicole Bennett sits down with esteemed journalists from across the industry who’ve covered some of the most notorious crimes in American history. Find the latest ‘Beyond Criminal Headlines’ content on any podcast provider or listen on demand here.

An autopsy determined Horsford broke her wrist and had head and torso trauma, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. According to the sheriff’s office, blood testing determined Horsford was highly intoxicated. She also had marijuana and Xanax in her system, per toxicology reports. Though others at the party were interviewed, no one saw Horsford fall.

Horsford had numerous severe injuries to her head, neck and torso, including a broken vertebrae and laceration to her heart, authorities said.

In the summer of 2020, nationwide protests against racism and police brutality reportedly renewed public interest in Horsford’s case. Under the pressure of public outcry, including posts from celebrities such as T.I., 50 Cent, and Kim Kardashian, the Forsyth County sheriff requested that the case be reopened on behalf of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Ultimately, in 2021, GBI authorities came to the conclusion that Horsford’s death was accidental and closed the case for a second time.

While it’s unclear what new evidence would come out of a new investigation after almost four years, Horsford’s family believes someone has yet to come forward. Over the years, her loved ones have said they pray that anyone who may know more about what happened to Tamla will have the courage to speak out and finally give them peace.

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