Family holds vigil for murdered metro Atlanta mother Briana Winston

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Those who loved Briana Winston, 23, gathered Sunday at Trammell Crow Park to reflect on her life.

“She was very independent. She had a vision of what she wanted her life to be and she kept pushing it,” said Diana Moore, her godmother.

Clayton County police say the 23-year-old mother of one was killed in March during an argument with her boyfriend Michale Edwards. The family said he cheated on them.

“He was calm, he seemed caring, he loved his daughter very much and Briana too. So it was extremely shocking,” Moore said.

RELATED: Boyfriend of missing Clayton County mother charged with murder, accused of setting her body on fire

Investigators said Edwards allegedly strangled her to death, then — along with an accomplice — placed her body in a suitcase, drove to Tennessee and set the suitcase on fire. On top of all that, police believe his wife, brother and mother were all involved.

“I was angry. I didn’t understand. Lots of unanswered questions – why? said Kendrick Langford, Briana’s uncle.

“I spoke to Briana on March 16th. She asked to come home and decided to go to her best friend’s house instead. And the last thing I said to her was, “Be careful.” Thanks for letting me know,’” Moore said.

For a moment, Briana’s family wanted to put the disturbing details aside and remember how she lived, not how she died.

RELATED: Police provide updates after boyfriend charged in mother’s death in Clayton County

“What happened to him, it should never have happened,” said Grace Jamison, a friend.

They said one way to remember Briana was to hold her loved ones a little closer.

“Celebrate life, enjoy life. Go out and hug someone you know. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a long time, tell them you love them,” Langford said.

Details of the memorial service are still in the planning stages.

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Suspect’s family helps cover up woman’s murder, Clayton County police say

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