LOCUST GROVE, Ga. — Authorities have identified the woman found dead in a burning bedroom during a violent confrontation early Thursday morning as 26-year-old Jazzlyn Phillips, a pregnant mother-to-be from Atlanta with roots in Terre Haute, Indiana.
The shocking sequence of events began around 3:40 a.m. on Cadence Street, when the Locust Grove Police Department and local fire crews responded to a call that ended in tragedy.
A Chaotic and Deadly Scene
According to investigators, officers forced their way into the home where they encountered 29-year-old Stefan Lee armed with a large knife. Police say they pleaded with him to drop the weapon, using both a Taser and a non-lethal shotgun in their attempts to subdue him. When Lee refused and continued to threaten officers, he was fatally shot.
Inside the residence, a far more disturbing discovery awaited. A bedroom was found ablaze, and once firefighters extinguished the flames, they uncovered the body of Jazzlyn Phillips, whose family later confirmed she was pregnant at the time of her death.
Two women and a small child were found locked inside another bedroom of the house. They were rescued safely, and no officers were injured during the confrontation.
Remembering Jazzlyn Phillips
Jazzlyn’s death has left her family and friends devastated. Born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana, she attended Forest Park High School and Terre Haute South Vigo High School before moving to Georgia. Those close to her describe her as a vibrant, kind, and loving young woman who was eagerly looking forward to motherhood.
“She was full of life and had so much to look forward to,” a family member said. “We not only lost Jazzlyn, but we lost her baby, too. It’s something we can hardly put into words.”
Friends have flooded social media with tributes, sharing photos and memories while demanding answers about how such a tragedy could have unfolded.
A Community Searching for Answers
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has taken over the inquiry into the police shooting, as is standard procedure in officer-involved cases. Meanwhile, investigators are working to determine how the fire started and whether it was deliberately set before officers entered the home.
Neighbors along Cadence Street say they were startled awake by sirens, flashing lights, and the heavy presence of emergency crews in what is typically a quiet residential area. “You never expect to wake up and see something like this happening right outside your home,” one resident said. “It’s terrifying and heartbreaking.”
The Pain of a Life Cut Short
For Jazzlyn’s loved ones, the investigation cannot come soon enough. They are mourning not just a daughter, sister, and friend, but also the unborn child she carried. Her death has become a devastating symbol of both domestic violence and the unpredictable dangers faced in police encounters.
Funeral arrangements for Jazzlyn will be announced in the coming days. Until then, her family asks for privacy as they try to process the loss of a young woman whose life was stolen too soon.
Moving Forward
The tragedy on Cadence Street has left a community shaken and searching for ways to heal. For those who knew Jazzlyn, the grief is compounded by the knowledge that two lives were lost that morning.
As investigators piece together the details, one thing is certain: Jazzlyn Phillips will be remembered not only for the horrific circumstances of her death but for the life, love, and light she brought to everyone around her.
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