Rayschon Edward Tooley, a 57-year-old man known to many people in his Atlanta neighborhood as “Shon-Shon,” was found shot to death and buried in a shallow grave behind an abandoned home in southwest Atlanta. His body had apparently been hidden for weeks before police finally located it, and investigators are now asking the public to help find the person responsible for his death.
Tooley’s remains were discovered on November 5, behind a vacant property in the 2400 block of Susan Lane SW. Police said he had been shot multiple times in the torso and extremities. His body was found beneath debris near a tree line, not far from the abandoned house where detectives believe he had been staying.
The discovery followed several anonymous tips received through Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta beginning November 2. The information pointed investigators toward a possible burial site behind the property. Atlanta homicide detectives eventually joined officers from the Sandy Springs Police Department’s K-9 Unit to search the area.
Around noon on November 5, K-9 Yeager helped locate the shallow grave. The dog’s discovery brought an end to weeks of uncertainty about what had happened to the man. Investigators recovered his remains and began working to establish his identity and the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified the victim as Rayshon Tooley. On November 6, the medical examiner’s office informed detectives that his death had been ruled a homicide. Investigators believe his body may have been buried at the property for between two and four weeks before it was discovered.
Police said Tooley was homeless and frequently spent time around Fairburn Road, Susan Lane, Campbellton Road and Cascade Road. Detectives believe he had been staying in the vacant house near the place where his body was found. They also suspect he was killed close to the property, although the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Although Tooley had no immediate family in the area, he was not without people who cared about him. Police said he had several close friends in the neighborhood whom he considered family. Investigators are hoping those who knew him, particularly people who spent time with him in the weeks before his death, can provide information that may help explain what happened.
During a November 12 news conference, Atlanta police appealed directly to the community for assistance. Investigators said they were still working to establish the events leading up to the killing and identify the person or people responsible. They have not announced any arrests, and the exact date of the shooting remains unknown.
Police also executed a search warrant at the abandoned property and collected evidence as part of the investigation. Detectives believe information from people who visited the area, knew Tooley or noticed anything unusual around the vacant house could prove important.
Anyone who knew Rayschon Tooley, saw him during the weeks before November 5 or has information about his killing is urged to contact the Atlanta Police Department. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS.
For now, detectives are left trying to piece together how a man known by people in his neighborhood ended up buried behind an abandoned home. They are hoping someone who knows something will finally come forward and help bring answers to those who considered him family.