Five years ago, Melinda Jolly decided to move to Georgia to start a new life with her four children after the death of her husband. The widow was a caring mother who always lit up a room with her bright smile and a sparkle in her eyes, according to her family.
“She had a big heart and loved her children with everything she had,” Melinda’s sister, Kathleen, wrote in a GoFundMe post.
Jolly’s family experienced more heartbreak Jan. 17 when the 44-year-old was found dead by a family member during a wellness check inside her home near Marietta.
Cobb County police responded to the residence in the 3200 block of Perch Drive and notified Major Crimes detectives. According to an arrest warrant obtained Jan. 23, her boyfriend, Charles Cook, is accused of beating Jolly to death with his hands and “unknown objects” during a domestic dispute at the home. Police said Jolly suffered blunt force trauma injuries to her head and neck.
Cobb police spokesperson Officer Aaron Wilson confirmed that Cook and Jolly were a couple. In the GoFundMe post, Kathleen Jolly wrote that family members recently discovered Jolly had been in an abusive relationship and asked police to conduct the wellness check.
“Witnesses saw (Cook) leave the residence around the supposed time of death after officers completed a welfare check on the victim,” the warrant stated.
Following an investigation, a warrant was issued for Cook, who was located Jan. 18 in the parking lot of a Publix in Crestview, Florida, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested and faces charges of murder and aggravated assault, Cobb police said.
Credit: Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Credit: Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
In 2019, Melinda Jolly moved to Georgia from California looking for a fresh start and to be closer to family after her husband died of cancer, Kathleen Jolly said. Her children have now been placed in the care of their aunt and uncle.
“Please pray for the children because they are left without a mother and a father,” Jolly added. “It will be a long road of healing and rebuilding for everyone. Please pray for our entire family, we are all devastated beyond belief.”
Cook was booked into the Okaloosa County jail and extradited to Georgia on Saturday. He remains in the Cobb County jail without bond, according to online records.
An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with more information is asked to contact Cobb police at 770-499-4111.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
About the Author
