Crime Stoppers of Atlanta is trying to raise extra money to help solve the murder of a popular Cobb County hair stylist, who was gunned down in Decatur, on the salon's Facebook page.
The crime-fighting tip organization is trying to raise a special $20,000 reward in the Karen Pearce killing. As of Thursday morning, it had raised about $3,000. Crime Stoppers typically pays out about $1,600 to solve a homicide using its own money.
Pearce, 44, was shot and killed in downtown Decatur last Saturday night. Police say they are still searching for a motive and are asking for help in identifying suspects.
Decatur police say the body was found behind One Decatur Town Center by somebody leaving a nearby parking deck. Witnesses report hearing a gunshot in the area before the body was discovered. Pearce had just left a local restaurant, and was walking in an area next to where her vehicle was parked when she was killed.
Friends of Pearce are in shock. She was working full time, and had gone back to school to study nursing.
Her longtime friend Lindalee Bridges tells the AJC “She was a good woman with a big heart who worked her tail off.” Bridges said “She was trying to make a future for herself where she could help others. She was making straight A's.”
Pearce worked at True Salon off Dallas Highway.
Investigators ask anyone with information to contact the Decatur Police Department at 404-373-6551 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS. Tips can be submitted online at www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.