Georgia Man Charged After Stabbing and Beating Pregnant Girlfriend to Death, Leaving Her Body Covered in Blankets
ROME, GEORGIA — A Georgia man is facing multiple murder charges after police say he stabbed and beat his pregnant girlfriend to death with a baseball bat, covered her body with blankets outside an apartment complex, and then fled the area with another woman he had met online.
Body Found Near Apartment Complex
Officers with the Rome Police Department responded around noon Tuesday after receiving reports of a body discovered near Hull Avenue and Cedar Avenue.
When police arrived, they found the body of Kaylee B. Shackelford, a 20-year-old woman from Tennessee, lying outside the complex and partially covered.
Authorities later confirmed Shackelford was pregnant at the time of her death.
Witnesses Report Red Car Fleeing Scene
Investigators said witnesses observed a red vehicle leaving the area shortly before Shackelford’s body was discovered.
Police located the vehicle approximately 20 miles away in Bartow County, where officers attempted a traffic stop. A vehicle pursuit followed, ending with the arrests of Mystique Malachi Amaziah Taylor, 23, and Rolanda Monique Edwards, 25.
Brutal Attack Described in Court
According to testimony presented during a bond hearing, Taylor and Shackelford were dating, though Taylor had recently begun an online relationship with Edwards, investigators said.
A judge stated that Taylor allegedly:
- Stabbed Shackelford in the neck, chest, and face
- Struck her in the head with a baseball bat
- Covered her body with blankets after the attack
Police have not publicly disclosed a motive for the killing.
Victim Traveled From Tennessee
Authorities confirmed that neither suspect was from the Rome area.
Shackelford lived in Powell, Tennessee, roughly 160 miles northeast of Rome, while Taylor also had no known ties to the community.
Additional Charge Added After Pregnancy Discovered
On Friday, investigators announced that Taylor had been additionally charged with feticide after medical findings confirmed Shackelford was pregnant.
Taylor now faces charges of:
- Felony murder
- Aggravated assault
- Concealing the death of another
- Feticide
Edwards has been charged with:
- Party to a crime
- Concealing the death of another
- Hindering apprehension of a criminal
Bond Status Set by Judge
Taylor is currently being held without bond, authorities confirmed.
Edwards was granted a $5,000 bond and remains under court supervision as the case proceeds.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
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