A quiet suburban neighborhood was rocked by violence Thursday afternoon when Janet Morris, 62, was fatally stabbed inside her home. Police have charged her daughter, Brittany Morris, 33, in connection with the killing, calling the case a devastating act of domestic violence that has left an entire community shaken.
Authorities said the attack occurred shortly after 2 p.m., when emergency calls reported screams coming from the residence. Responding officers found Janet Morris inside the home suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite efforts by paramedics to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators confirmed that Janet Morris had recently been diagnosed with cancer, a battle that weighed heavily on her and those around her. The tragic circumstances of her death, compounded by her illness, have only deepened the grief experienced by family and neighbors.
Police quickly detained Brittany Morris at the scene, describing her as visibly distressed but cooperative with officers. She now faces charges of murder and aggravated assault, though officials noted additional charges could follow as the investigation continues. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive, citing the sensitive nature of the case.
Neighbors expressed shock upon learning of the violence, describing Janet Morris as a kind, warm woman who had lived in the Stone Mountain community for years. Many said they were aware of her cancer diagnosis but never could have imagined her life would end so violently, and at the hands of her own daughter.
Court records show that investigators are working to reconstruct the events leading up to the stabbing. Detectives spent hours at the home Thursday night, collecting evidence, photographing the scene, and interviewing witnesses in an effort to piece together what may have triggered the deadly confrontation.
Officials from the DeKalb County Police Department acknowledged that domestic violence remains a serious and growing issue, often occurring behind closed doors until it escalates into tragedy. “This is a heartbreaking case that underscores the need for intervention and support within families struggling with personal crises,” one spokesperson said.
Community leaders echoed those sentiments, urging residents to look for signs of strain in their households and to seek help before conflicts escalate. Local organizations have already begun offering grief counseling for neighbors and extended relatives struggling to process the crime.
The Morris family, now divided by grief and legal proceedings, faces an unimaginable ordeal. As funeral arrangements are prepared for Janet Morris, her daughter remains behind bars awaiting her first court appearance. Officials say she will be formally arraigned in the coming days.
For Stone Mountain, the killing has left a lasting scar. What was once a home filled with memories of family life has become the scene of an unthinkable tragedy. The death of Janet Morris is being mourned not only by her family, but also by a community struggling to reconcile the loss of a beloved neighbor in such violent circumstances.
