Tamla Horsford Death Investigation Closed By GBI

CUMMING, GA — An investigation into the death of Forsyth County mother Tamla Horsford has ended by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after no evidence was found to bring criminal charges.

GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles confirmed in a statement that the investigation was complete regarding the death of the 40-year-old mother who died in 2018 during an "adult sleepover."

“The DA review determined the facts and investigative findings do not support pursuit and prosecution of criminal charges,” Miles said in a statement sent to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Last year, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office made an official request to the GBI to open an investigation and examine any new evidence which may be available.

"We recognize that transparency is vital for law enforcement agencies, and we want to ensure that no stone has been left unturned in the investigation of this tragic death," the Sheriff's Office wrote in June 2020.

Horsford was reported dead the morning after she spent the night at a friend's house following a birthday and football party in November 2018, according to a case supplemental report by the Sheriff's Office.

"The deceased is an acquaintance of the resident homeowner," the case report states. "The deceased was drinking heavily. At some point the party began to wind down and attendees began to go to bed for the night. The deceased was left downstairs and was awake. The back door which has an alarm connected was triggered on the homeowners phone. It was triggered, open, closed and opened again. Times are detailed on the phone. The following morning when the homeowners and party attendees awoke they discovered the female deceased in the backyard. They then contacted 911 to report the incident."

Sheriff Ron Freeman said in the letter to the GBI in 2020 that, "renewed requests for reexamination are best served by an independent law enforcement agency to review previous findings and to search and act on any new evidence which may come to light."

"The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office stands ready to assist in any manner and will turn over our complete investigative case file to your agency," Freeman wrote. "Your agents will have complete access to my office and deputies as well as my full cooperation."

Read more: GBI To Open Tamla Horsford Death Investigation: Forsyth Sheriff