Rayschon Tooley had apparently been dead and buried behind an abandoned Atlanta home for weeks before anonymous tips led police to his remains. The 57-year-old man was found in a shallow grave beneath debris, and detectives are now trying to determine who shot him multiple times and left his body at the property.
The investigation began moving forward after Atlanta police received Crime Stoppers tips on November 2. The callers reportedly provided information about a person buried behind a vacant home in southwest Atlanta. Investigators followed up on the information and arranged a search of the property.
On November 5, around noon, Atlanta homicide detectives joined the Sandy Springs Police Department’s K-9 Unit at the location. The search focused on the property behind the abandoned house in the 2400 block of Susan Lane SW. K-9 Yeager eventually located a shallow grave beneath garbage and other debris along the tree line.
Officers recovered the remains and turned them over to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. The victim was later identified as 57-year-old Rayshon Edward Tooley, who was known around the neighborhood as “Shon-Shon.” An examination found that he had been shot multiple times in the torso and extremities.
On November 6, the medical examiner’s office notified detectives that Tooley’s death had been ruled a homicide. Investigators believe his body had remained buried at the location for approximately two to four weeks before officers found it. They also believe he was killed very close to the property.
Detectives suspect Tooley had been staying inside the vacant home before his death. Police described him as an unsheltered man who regularly spent time around Fairburn Road, Susan Lane, Campbellton Road and Cascade Road. His familiarity with the area has led investigators to believe that people who regularly visited those streets may have useful information.
Despite having no immediate family in the area, Tooley had close friends who considered him part of their family. Police said he was well known in the community and had people who cared about him. Investigators are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who had contact with him during the weeks before his remains were discovered.
At a November 12 news conference, Atlanta police asked residents to help move the investigation forward. Detectives have not established the exact date Tooley was killed or publicly identified a suspect. They are also continuing to examine evidence collected from the vacant property after executing a search warrant.
The anonymous tips that brought investigators to the property have already helped uncover a killing that might otherwise have remained hidden. Police now need additional information to establish what happened before Tooley was buried and who was involved.
Anyone who knew Tooley, saw him around the Campbellton-Cascade area in the weeks before November 5 or noticed suspicious activity near the abandoned home is urged to contact Atlanta police. People with information can also call Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS and remain anonymous.
The discovery has given investigators a starting point, but the most important questions remain unanswered. Police are hoping someone in the community can provide the information needed to identify Tooley’s killer.