Georgia Couple Charged with Murder After Bartender's Dismembered Remains Found in Reservoir

What Happened

On May 15, human remains surfaced in the Dog River Reservoir, a 256-acre lake and drinking-water source along Highway 166 in Douglasville, Georgia, according to Law&Crime, which reviewed jail records in the case. The reservoir sits roughly 30 miles west of Atlanta.

Identifying the victim took weeks. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shared photographs of a distinctive tattoo from the body and asked the public for help. A woman who had previously dated Jamal Parker recognized the tattoo from news coverage and contacted his father, Charles Parker, according to WSB-TV. The father provided his own DNA to investigators, and by June 15, the GBI confirmed the victim's identity through DNA comparison analysis.

Charges against Barber and Baker were filed the following day, June 16.

The Arrest

Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, were arrested Monday, June 16, and charged with one count each of murder, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe Parker was killed inside a Douglasville home on Langdale Chase Street, the residence where Baker lived.

In late May, investigators spent four days searching that residence. WSB-TV reported that law enforcement was observed removing a reciprocating saw, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners from the property.

Both suspects appeared in Douglas County court on Tuesday, June 17, entered not guilty pleas, and were remanded without bond. Both carry extensive prior criminal records, according to multiple reports. Law&Crime noted that at the time of the murder investigation, Barber and Baker had separately been charged with a string of felony and misdemeanor counts involving identity theft, forgery, drug offenses, and the manufacture of fraudulent driver's licenses, license plates, and vehicle registrations. Whether the alleged fraud operation is connected to Parker's killing has not been established by investigators.

The Victim

Jamal Rashad Parker, 37, was a bartender at Ms. Icey's Kitchen & Bar in Atlanta, a musician, and a visual artist. A GoFundMe created by his family to cover burial costs describes him as someone who "loved life and the people he met along his journey" and who "enjoyed creating new drinks."

His father, Charles Parker, spoke outside the courthouse on Tuesday. "It's the kind of stuff you see on TV. They had no remorse," he told WSB-TV. He added that Parker's remains are in such condition that the family cannot hold a conventional funeral.

"I want them to be punished. And I don't even think a life sentence is good enough," Charles Parker said.

Family members gathered outside court chanting "Justice for Jamal," according to The Independent. A GoFundMe page described the family as having "a beautiful soul and spirit" taken from them.

Police have not disclosed whether Parker personally knew Barber or Baker. The family's GoFundMe page, however, described the suspects as "people he knew and trusted," according to Fox News.

What Remains Unknown

Investigators have not explained how they connected Barber and Baker to Parker's death beyond the physical evidence recovered at the residence. The exact nature of any prior relationship between the victim and the suspects has not been disclosed. Law&Crime specifically flagged that it was not immediately clear whether the alleged identity theft and forgery charges shared any link with the killing.

Barber and Baker have pleaded not guilty. A court has not yet made a finding against them, and the case will proceed through the Douglas County judicial system.

What's Next

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office stated in a release that it "appreciates the public's assistance and cooperation as investigators continue to pursue all leads in this case," leaving open the question of whether additional charges or other persons of interest may emerge. As of June 22, no trial date has been announced.