ATLANTA — Police have released a preliminary report regarding the cause of death for Clark Atlanta student Alexis Crawford as two people sit in jail charged in her death.
Crawford, whose body was found in a park off of Columbia Drive in DeKalb County on Friday, died by asphyxiation according to the Atlanta Police Department.
The term refers to the general deprivation of oxygen to the point of death and doesn't on its own necessarily mean foul play since it can be caused by many scenarios. However, police have made two arrested on charges of malice murder suggesting that one or both of the suspects in the case directly and intentionally caused Crawford's death.
Police arrested 21-year-old Barron Brantley in Crawford's death on Friday and his girlfriend, 21-year-old Jordyn Jones, the next day. Both face the malice murder charge though a motive hasn't been officially released by investigators. Jones was Crawford's roommate.
Days before the Clark Atlanta student was reported missing, police confirmed she had filed a complaint against Brantley alleging sexual assault. The complaint listed Jones as a witness and Brantley as the suspect. That report was filed on Oct. 27. Alexis was last seen on Oct. 30 and was reported missing just two days later.
Police said they found Alexis' body on Friday after being led there by one of the suspects - though the department hasn't said which of the two tipped them off.
Meanwhile, Clark Atlanta has released a statement after receiving what it described as "the worst possible news."
"Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with her family and with everyone who knew and loved Alexis," the statement read.
The university is also making counselors available to speak with students in the days to come.
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