Rayshon Edward Tooley

In a southwest Atlanta community, Rayshon Edward Tooley was a familiar and well-regarded presence. The 57-year-old man, known to many in his neighborhood as "Shon-Shon," was described by police as a good citizen. Though he had no immediate family in the area, he was rich in friendships, with close friends he considered to be his family. He was known to frequent the Campbellton-Cascade corridor. Investigators believe Mr. Tooley was experiencing homelessness and had been taking shelter inside a vacant, abandoned house on Susan Lane SW.

The discovery of his death began with anonymous tips sent to Crime Stoppers on November 2, 2026, suggesting a man had been buried behind the abandoned home. On November 5, around noon, Atlanta Police Department officers responded to the property in the 2400 block of Susan Lane SW, not far from Interstate 285. With the assistance of a K-9 unit from the neighboring Sandy Springs Police Department, investigators were drawn to an area along the tree line. There, buried in a shallow grave beneath a covering of debris, they found human remains.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the body and formally identified the victim as Rayshon Edward Tooley. An examination revealed the cause of his death: he had been shot multiple times in his torso and extremities. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. Based on the condition of his remains, investigators estimated that Mr. Tooley had been killed and buried two to four weeks before he was found. Police believe he was killed in close proximity to where his body was discovered.

The Atlanta Police Department’s homicide unit is actively investigating the murder of Rayshon Tooley. At a news conference held a week after the discovery, police shared what they knew and appealed to the public for help. They credited the anonymous tips for leading them to Mr. Tooley, highlighting how crucial community information can be in such cases. "If it wasn't for that, you know we might not have stumbled on Mr. Rayshon Tooley's death," a police lieutenant stated during the press conference.

Investigators have not identified any suspects or a motive in the killing. They have been tight-lipped about the specific details provided in the Crime Stoppers tips as they continue to pursue leads. The case is considered a delayed notification homicide, which often presents unique challenges for detectives piecing together a timeline of events.

As of November 2026, the investigation into Rayshon Tooley's death is ongoing. No arrests have been made, and the person or persons responsible for his murder remain at large. The community is left with the shocking loss of a man described as a good citizen, and his chosen family of close friends is left to mourn without answers. Police continue to urge anyone with information about the case, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.