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Father of 5, girlfriend found shot and killed inside home after fire

A 40-year-old from Meridian, Mississippi was picked up for drug charges there when officers realized he had warrants related to the fire.

DECATUR, Ga. — Two families are left in the dark after the death of a loving couple who had been together for over a year. 

Dekalb County Police Department continues to investigate after they were found dead in their home off Cohassett Lane in Decatur. A fire happened on Monday, Sept. 9, just before 1:30 a.m., at the home. The couple was found inside after the flames were put out. 

"It was just so weird to me, because he would've gotten out of the house and done whatever was necessary to get her out of the house too," Brittany Waters said. 

Waters' younger brother is the second she's lost since last year. Derris Woods, 35 was a father to 5 young kids and had been living in the home with his girlfriend Brittany Hall, 28. The two were loving and their loss is devastating for their families.

"He was a very funny guy! He's like the life of the party. He's always the hype man. He comes and wakes everybody up and gets them excited. He's a great dad. It's just sad because my mom loved Brittany too. She was so sweet," Waters said.

Authorities said the two were killed in their very own home that was set on fire, but days after they were found investigators determined both were shot, what happened to them is still a mystery. 

The fire happened on Monday, Sept. 9, just before 1:30 a.m., at the home along Cohassett Lane.

"When we got more information about it being more than a fire that's when it made more sense. The more info we get the more we understand and that's just how it's been for us. I don't think I'll ever be at peace with this. It's devastating to us. Its hard to think about, but the more information we get the more we can understand," Waters said. 

The family wants anyone who has information about what happened to come forward, and they're hoping Marques Holloways' arrest leads to more answers. The 40-year-old picked up on drug charges in Meridian, Mississippi had warrants for his arrest in connection to the couple's death in Dekalb.

"What provoked this? What caused this reaction to be that extreme and that violent? We just want to know what happened in those final moments. What did he say? What did he do? Did Derris know what was happening? We would love to know any information. What if it was your family member and you didn't know what happened? Please just reach out to police," Waters said. 

Right now, Dekalb County Police are still staying tight lipped about their investigation but say the motive could be drug related. 

Officials in Mississippi said Holloway won't be extradited anytime soon due to charges and a probation violation. Once he's extradited, he'll face charges in connection to the couple's death in Dekalb County. 

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