Georgia Man Kills Pregnant Girlfriend and Estranged Wife Before Taking His Own Life — Families Launch GoFundMe Campaigns Amid Grief
A horrific murder-suicide in Dalton, Georgia has left two families devastated and a community reeling, after a man was found to have fatally shot his estranged wife and pregnant girlfriend before turning the gun on himself.
Now, the families of both women are turning to the public for support, launching GoFundMe pages to help cover funeral expenses and care for the children left behind.
Triple Tragedy Unfolds in Dalton
On Friday, May 23, around 6 p.m., Dalton police were called to conduct a welfare check at the home of 35-year-old Rebeca Nicole Akins after co-workers reported she had been missing for several days.
Upon entering her residence on Murray Avenue, officers discovered Rebeca deceased from a gunshot wound to the head. Surveillance footage revealed a man — later identified as her husband, Kevin Andrew Akins, 37 — leaving the apartment on Wednesday, May 21, two days earlier.
As the investigation continued, officers traced Kevin’s car to another complex on Shadow Lane. On Saturday morning, while awaiting a search warrant, they saw a man — Cindel Mae Rhoden’s father — unlock a unit and call 911 to report two more deceased individuals inside.
The victims were identified as Cindel Rhoden, 33, and Kevin Akins. Investigators say Kevin fatally shot Cindel — who was five months pregnant with his child — before taking his own life.
A Timeline of Violence
According to the preliminary police report, Kevin murdered Rebeca early on May 21, before going to Cindel’s residence where he later killed her and himself. The back-to-back murders stunned local residents and ignited grief across two families, now left mourning the unimaginable.
Kevin had reportedly been involved with both women simultaneously. While still married to Rebeca, his relationship with Cindel — described by her family as emotionally manipulative — had also become serious. Cindel had shared an ultrasound photo in March, excitedly announcing that her son was due in September 2025.
Grieving Families Turn to Community for Help
Following the news of Rebeca’s death, her sister Emily Landen created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her funeral.
“On May 23rd we received the worst news we could possibly receive. My older sister Nicole was tragically taken away from us by the man she had loved for over half of her life,” Emily wrote. “This has broken all of us beyond words.”
She noted that Rebeca had been with Kevin for 20 years, and that her financial situation was deeply entangled with his.
“All of her financials were tied up in his. She is even listed in his life insurance policy, and we don’t know what that means for her funeral expenses,” she explained.
Emily’s goal is to raise $18,000. As of this writing, the campaign has reached $1,640.
Meanwhile, Ashley Barker launched a separate GoFundMe for Cindel’s family. The campaign paints a picture of a hardworking mother, navigating life as a single parent to two daughters, while preparing for the arrival of her baby boy.
“Cindel was more than just a victim of this tragedy — she was kind, full of life, and a devoted mom doing her best for her girls,” Ashley wrote. “She fell victim to manipulation and a relationship that ended in tragedy.”
Ashley confirmed that Cindel did not have life insurance, and her daughters are now in the care of extended family. The GoFundMe aims to raise $20,000 to cover funeral costs and ensure a stable future for the girls. As of now, the campaign has raised $3,041.
A Plea for Compassion
Both families have emphasized that their loved ones deserve to be remembered for their kindness and strength, not the circumstances of their deaths.
“We believe in the power of community,” Ashley added, “and hope you’ll stand with us during this time.”
These devastating losses have not only shattered two families but have also raised urgent questions about domestic violence, emotional manipulation, and the hidden crises that can erupt behind closed doors.
For those wishing to help, both GoFundMe links remain open. Donations, prayers, and messages of support are deeply appreciated as these families begin the long road to healing.