The body of a 48-year-old grandmother has been found buried in the woods near Atlanta, Georgia, two days after she was reported missing by families.
Aimee Lafakis, 48, was last contacted by text around 2 a.m. Friday but never returned home. According to Brookhaven police, her remains were found in a wooded area in Dacula, about 30 miles from Brookhaven.
Her ex-boyfriend Brandon Wineinger, 43, has been arrested on charges including kidnapping, burglary, concealing the death of another, tampering with evidence and making false statements.
Lafakis’ best friend Faith Corbin shared it 11Alive that she had spoken to her on Wednesday evening, two days before she went missing.
“She was going through some tough times, which we had talked about,” Corbin said, adding that she offered advice about Wineinger.
“Aimee was the one who got me out of the same situation she was in, just with someone else, so it hit really close to home,” Corbin said.
Aimee Lafakis (pictured), 48, was last contacted by text message around 2am on Friday but has since been missing. Her body was found Sunday in a wooded area in Dacula, near Atlanta
Her ex-boyfriend Brandon Wineinger (pictured), 43, has been arrested on charges including kidnapping, burglary and concealing the death of another.
Brookhaven police said Lafakis’ remains were found in a wooded area in Dacula, about 30 miles from Brookhaven.
Lafakis was supposed to have dinner with her daughter Friday night but never showed up.
Her daughter Scarlett rushed to her house when she didn’t show up or answer her phone, only to see Lafakis’ car parked outside the MAA Glen apartment complex – her last known location, the VOC5 reported.
Investigators spent hours Saturday interviewing residents of the apartment complex, including Wineinger, who made false statements that led to his arrest.
“Wineinger was interviewed at police headquarters and … made several statements that were proven to be false,” Brookhaven Police said in a statement, citing only allegations of making false statements and tampering with evidence.
Brookhaven investigators were notified Sunday when a woman’s body was found on Drowning Creek Road in Gwinnett County.
On Monday, police confirmed that the discovered remains belong to Lafakis.
Lafaskis, a mother and grandmother, was “well-known and loved in her community,” said Doug Adams, a relative. Atlanta News First on Sunday.
“She would do anything for her daughters,” Adams said, “they need her.”
After speaking with several family members, authorities made the arrest and filed charges against Wineinger.
“It literally makes my stomach hurt knowing that this man took her and threw her away like she was trash and she was alone for days,” Corbin said.
She added, “that’s the hardest part because Aimee would never let that happen to anyone else.”
On Monday, police confirmed that the discovered remains belong to Lafakis
After speaking with several family members, authorities made the arrest and filed charges against Wineinger
Lafaskis, a mother and grandmother, was “known and loved in her community, her families and friends said
The friend said Lafakis was a force to be reckoned with, a woman of remarkable intelligence and humor.
The grieving family also told 11Alive that Lafakis’ daughters and granddaughters were her entire life.
‘She was so proud of them and the bond they shared was so unique and special.
“They will make her proud and they will have the beautiful life she always wanted for them. She was loved by so many and her legacy will be how she lived.
“She was genuine, fun, loyal and just a force of nature,” she added.