Family Demands Answers After 27-Year-Old Woman Found Dead in Atlanta Apartment
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — The family of 27-year-old Josephine Tarwai is demanding answers nearly a month after she was found dead in her Atlanta apartment, saying police have shown little urgency in investigating what they believe is a suspicious death.
Tarwai, who had recently moved from Minnesota to Georgia, was discovered dead on September 30, two days after her family says they first requested a welfare check when she stopped answering calls.
Family Alleges Delayed Police Response
Tarwai’s brother, Joseph Tarwai, told 11Alive News that their family became worried on September 28 after Josephine went silent. They tried to request a welfare check through Atlanta Police, but were told it had to be filed in Minnesota because that was where the family lived.
By the time Atlanta Police finally went to her apartment on September 30, Josephine was already dead.
“We’re broken, we’re crushed,” her brother said. “The wake and funeral are this weekend, and my mom just passed out maybe 30 minutes ago. It’s all just too much.”
He said the family feels ignored and disheartened by what they describe as a lack of compassion and urgency from investigators.
“When we got there Thursday, we didn’t want to go in,” Joseph said. “We thought it was a crime scene and didn’t want to tamper with anything. That’s when I called a private investigator.”
Private Investigator Points to Red Flags
The family hired Robin Martinelli, a licensed private investigator, who says she immediately noticed signs of a possible struggle.
“There were a lot of cameras, a lot of neighbors, and they were just dumbfounded by what had happened,” Martinelli said.
She said she tried to hand over potential evidence to Atlanta Police but was met with indifference. “They told me to show up and request an officer to come get the evidence. I did that — and nobody came. Nobody cared,” she said.
Martinelli said photographs from the scene showed bruises, scratches, and broken nails on Tarwai’s body — details the family says are inconsistent with her normally well-kept appearance.
“I’m not a medical examiner,” Martinelli noted, “but in my opinion, it looked like there could have been a struggle.”
Family Fears Bias Because of Victim’s Occupation
Tarwai worked as a dancer at Gold Rush Showbar, a club located just two minutes from her apartment. Her family believes that her profession may be influencing the lack of urgency in how her case is being handled.
“It’s very demoralizing,” her brother said. “You lose faith in the police. It hurts so bad to see someone die in America and their death not be checked.”
He believes Josephine may have been robbed or harmed by someone she was involved with — or someone she rejected.
Investigation Still Ongoing
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet released an official cause of death. Officials said the full report could take up to 90 days to complete.
As of now, the Atlanta Police Department has not released further updates or identified any suspects in the case.
“We’re going to stand on any limb and go against whoever we have to go against to get justice for Josie,” Joseph said. “We won’t stop until we know what happened.”
Community and Family Seek Justice
Family and friends are calling for increased transparency and a thorough investigation into Josephine’s death. Her brother says the family plans to continue working with private investigators and the media to keep pressure on authorities.
The case has drawn attention to broader concerns about how law enforcement handles cases involving women who work in nightlife industries, with advocates calling for more consistent investigative standards and respect for victims regardless of occupation.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Atlanta Police Department’s Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta.
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