9-year-old girl, father found dead inside locked car at popular park, police say

A 9-year-old girl and her father were found dead in a car at a popular park in Georgia. (Source: WTOC)
Published: May 31, 2025 at 6:23 PM CDT
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BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) - A 9-year-old girl and her father were found dead in a car at a popular park in Georgia.

On May 27, authorities responded to a call reporting an unresponsive child locked in a vehicle at Brooklet City Park, according to a news release.

When officers arrived, they found a child, identified as 9-year-old Emily Grace Mayo, dead in the backseat with an apparent gunshot wound.

In the front seat, police also found her father, 37-year-old James Lee Mayo, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun was found on his lap, authorities said.

Both bodies have been taken to the GBI’s examiners’ lab in Pooler.

Community hope to create a memorial for Emily Grace at the park sometime soon.

In the meantime, if you would like to the family, click here to visit the GoFundMe honoring Emily Grace.

This investigation is ongoing.