A man died of a heart attack while dragging the dead body of his girlfriend – whom he is suspected of killing – through the woods, an autopsy has revealed. Mum-of-three Jessica Folds, from Lanett, Alabama, and her suspected killer Both Daniel Robbins, 44, of Macon, Georgia, were found dead on June 10 in a wooded area near the small, rural community Folds had grown up in.
Police found the body of the 47-year-old mother with her hands raised over her head, only a few miles from her home, Chambers County Sheriff Jeff Nelson told local news channel WTVM. An autopsy has confirmed she was strangled to death.
Robbins’ body was next to hers, curled up in the fetal position. Police observed a clear ‘drag path’ at the scene.
View 4 ImagesAlthough it is unclear where her murder took place, police believe Robbins killed Folds during a domestic violence attack the night before(Image: Facebook)
Police have not said exactly how long the pair had been dating, but public records show the 47-year-old mum and grandmother had lost her husband of five years in February of last year. Although it is unclear where her alleged murder took place, police believe Robbins killed Folds during a domestic violence attack the night before. District Attorney (DA) Mike Segrest added that officials believe he was trying to dump her body when he collapsed and died. “He died of a heart attack while doing it,” Segrest said. “Their bodies were right there together.” Police were called to the forested area at around midday on June 10 after a passerby noticed an abandoned vehicle alongside a dirt road that had been left running. The driver’s side door was also open, and the tailgate has been pulled down, the DA added. From there, police followed drag marks through the dirt.
View 4 ImagesThe woodland area in which the two bodies were found(Image: ABC)
The marks started at the ground next to the downed tailgate and truck bed and ended in the scrub where police found the two bodies lying in the dirt. The passerby who found the car and dead couple initially thought their remains were mannequins, the country sheriff told local TV news station WTVM. Folds leaves behind three children – all adult sons – as well as two grandchildren. According to her obituary: “Jessica lived and worked many places in the Auburn-Opelika area. Jessica touched the lives of many with her heart of gold, deep love for everyone, and smile that brightened the world.”
View 4 ImagesSuspected DV killer Daniel Robbins, who had a heart attack next to the body of his victim as he tried to dispose of her corpse(Image: Supplied)
Robbins was a father to one daughter. His obituary has been removed from the website of the funeral home that has taken possession of his remains for burial. Police have not released a motive for the alleged killing, which remains under investigation.