Atlanta Police Officer Kills Girlfriend in Apparent Murder-Suicide After Christmas Party

ATLANTA, GA — Authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving an Atlanta police officer and his girlfriend, whose bodies were discovered days after they were last seen attending a Christmas Day gathering.

Police were called to a Virginia-Highland home near Piedmont Park on December 28 after friends requested a welfare check when repeated attempts to reach the couple went unanswered. According to reports, friends went to the residence after growing concerned and looked through a bedroom window, where they saw the two individuals lying motionless on the floor. A distressed caller contacted 911 and reported seeing two bodies and a firearm inside the home. “There are two dead bodies in the back bedroom,” the caller told the dispatcher. “There’s blood everywhere, and there’s one gun between the two of them.”

Authorities later identified the deceased as Kevin Stroner, 56, a 13-year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department, and his girlfriend, Moriah Cardona, 44. Officers responding to the welfare check were initially unaware Stroner was a police officer. Stroner is listed as the murder suspect in the police incident report. Police say Stroner’s APD-issued 9-millimeter Glock was found inside the home. According to the report, the couple was found wearing the same clothes they were seen wearing in photos taken on Christmas Day.

Deputy Chief Prenzinna Spann confirmed that no one else was inside the home. Officials emphasized that the incident was isolated and posed no threat to the public.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Cardona’s death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. Stroner was determined to have died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The case remains an active death investigation, and authorities say they are still working to determine what led up to the fatal shooting.

Neighbors described the incident as deeply unsettling for the normally quiet community.

Stroner had served with the APD for more than a decade and had previously received commendations for his service. Department records show he was recognized in 2012 for assisting in the arrest of a robbery suspect and for stopping an armed robbery at a Family Dollar. He also received a commendation in December 2020 for helping arrest another robbery suspect. Little is publicly known about Cardona, though a friend described her as a “beautiful person”.

Authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances leading up to the shooting. As the investigation continues, officials urge anyone experiencing domestic violence or emotional distress to seek help and support.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day.