Johnny Edwards, 34, charged with killing his wife and his mother at Highgrove home

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Double murder suspect Johnny Edwards IV. Photo/Fayette County Jail.
Double murder suspect Johnny Edwards IV. Photo/Fayette County Jail.

 

Update – Dec. 11: An update to the prior reporting of the double homicide in which Johnny Edwards, IV, was charged in the Dec. 7 killings of his mother, Kathy Edwards, and wife, Venus Quanteh, involves a transcript of the 911 call made by Edwards and a statement from one of Dr. Kathy Edwards’ former patients who spoke of the high regard in which she was held.

The brief 911 call made by Johnny Edwards was received Dec. 7, and was provided by the Fayette County 911 Center. The call said, “Yes. I killed my mother and my wife. Johnny Edwards at 130 Coventry Court. I’ll be outside.” At that point the call ended.

In another area pertaining to Kathy Edwards, one of her former patients provided The Citizen with thoughts on the loss of the doctor she held in high esteem.

“Dr. Edwards (Kathy) listened, truly cared, had a sense of humor and loved her family. I thought so much of her, that I continued to see her after we moved to Florida. Yes, I would make the drive,” patient D.H. said.

Original story: A Fayette County man has been charged with murder in the Dec. 7 double homicide of his mother and wife at their residence on Coventry Court off Redwine Road.

Johnny Thomas Edwards, IV, 34, was charged with two counts of murder, according to Fayette County Jail records.

Edwards is charged with the murder of his mother, Kathy Ann Edwards, 57, and his wife, 31-year -old Venus Quanteh, according to Sheriff Barry Babb.

The cause of the deaths has not been released, nor has the type of weapon used in the killings.

Babb said deputies on Dec. 7 at approximately 2:29 p.m. responded to a domestic dispute at a residence on Coventry Court in the Highgrove subdivision.

“Upon arrival, the deputies located the male 911 caller [now identified as the son and husband of the two victims] outside the residence. Inside the residence the deputies located two deceased females,” Babb said.

Babb said Johnny Edwards, IV, and his wife resided at the home, adding that the three were the only people in the residence at the time of the crime. Kathy Edwards’ husband was not home at the time of the incident.

Babb said Edwards was taken into custody without incident, adding that bond was denied.

Edwards in his high school football playing days as a three-year starter at Starr’s Mill High School just south of Peachtree City was listed as one of Georgia’s top 50 football players by the time he graduated in 2003.

According to a Wake Forest football article from 2005, Edwards had appeared on the Starr’s Mill Honor Roll and Principal’s List and was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars before his graduation.

At Wake Forest, Edwards majored in history. He was listed as the son of Johnny and Dr. Kathy Edwards with a brother, Trenton. At Wake Forest Edwards was red-shirted in 2003 as a true freshman, played in 10 games in 2004 and was listed as a returning starter in the defensive secondary for 2005.

In a question and answer sidebar in the Wake Forest article, Edwards said his best non-athletic talent was “playing the piano.” Asked who he admired most, Edwards answered, “My parents.” — Additional reporting by Cal Beverly.

130 Coventry Court, scene of double homicide Dec. 7. Photo/Ben Nelms.
130 Coventry Court, scene of double homicide Dec. 7. Photo/Ben Nelms.

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