Deputies say Parker’s remains were found in Dog River Reservoir after a home search in Douglasville.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Two people accused in the death of 37-year-old Jamal Parker pleaded not guilty Tuesday after deputies said parts of his body were found in Dog River Reservoir.
Brittany Baker and Mario Barber now face murder charges in Parker’s death. Deputies believe Parker was killed at a home on Langdale Chase Street in Douglasville, not far from where remains were recovered. Baker and Barber are being held without bond.
The case began in May, when investigators released photos and renderings of tattoos found on a man’s body pulled from Dog River Reservoir along Highway 166. Parker’s father, Charles Parker, said a woman who once dated his son saw the tattoos on the news and contacted him. He then gave detectives DNA, which helped identify the remains as Jamal Parker.
Deputies later searched a home in the Windermere community for several days. Reporters saw investigators remove items including a reciprocating saw, cleaning supplies, air fresheners and surgical gloves. Deputies have not released a full account of how Parker died, and some details of the case remain unknown.
Charles Parker and other family members attended the Tuesday court hearing. One uncle called the hearing “Heart-wrenching. Frustrating.” Charles Parker said the condition of his son’s remains has left the family unable to hold a regular funeral. “I want them to be punished. And I don’t even think a life sentence is good enough,” he said.
Parker was known as a bartender who worked at bars across Atlanta. His father said he was loved by many people. Outside court, relatives chanted, “Justice for Jamal,” as the case moved from an unidentified remains investigation into a murder prosecution.
Baker and Barber had previously been arrested in a separate identity fraud and forgery case tied to the same home search. Warrants in that case accused them of possessing stolen driver’s licenses, manufactured IDs, license plates, registrations, printers, stencils and invisible ink.
The murder case remains active. Baker has a private attorney, and a response from that attorney was not reported. Both defendants remain jailed without bond as prosecutors and investigators move the case forward.
Author note: Last updated Friday, June 19, 2026.