Missing Grandmother, 48, Found Dead; Boyfriend Arrested

Police in Georgia arrested the boyfriend of a grandmother found dead over the weekend, accusing him of tampering with evidence and kidnapping, among other charges.

Aimee Lafakis, 48, was reported missing in Brookhaven Friday, with her family and friends spending all weekend searching for her. However, her body was later found Sunday, on Drowning Creek Road in Gwinnett County.

Officers arrested Lafakis' boyfriend Brandon Wineinger a day earlier. During interviews with cops, Wineinger made multiple false statements about the grandmother's disappearance, Brookhaven Police Department told The Messenger.

According to court records seen by The Messenger, the 43-year-old is charged with tampering with evidence, false statements or writings, burglary and kidnapping.

Following confirmation Monday that the body officers found was that of Lafakis, Gwinnett County Police charged Wineinger with an additional offense - concealing the death of another.

"The investigation is still active, and the cause of death is still being investigated. Additional charges could be forthcoming," the department said in a statement on Facebook.

One of Lafakis' best friends, Faith Corbin, told 11 Alive that the victim was going through some tough times but thought she had it sorted.

"It literally makes my stomach hurt to know that this guy took her and discarded her like she was trash and she was alone by herself for days and were out looking for her and that’s the hardest part because Aimee would never ever ever let that happen to anyone else," Corbin told the news outlet. 

In a statement, the family of Lafakis said she was loved by many.

“Her daughters Scarlett and Alexis and her granddaughter London were her whole life. She was so proud of them and the bond they shared was just so unique and special," the statement read.

"They will make her proud and they will have the beautiful lives she always wanted for them... She was genuine, fun, loyal, and just a force of nature.”