Two days after her family reported her missing, the body of a 48-year-old Brookhaven woman was discovered Sunday in a remote location in Gwinnett County.
About 30 miles separated Aimee Lafakis’ Brookhaven apartment from the empty field on a dirt road east of Dacula where investigators said they found her remains. As the result of a joint police investigation, her boyfriend, 43-year-old Brandon Wineinger, has been arrested on multiple charges, including kidnapping and concealing the death of another.
“The investigation is still active, and the cause of death is still being investigated,” Gwinnett police spokesperson Cpl. Juan Madiedo said Monday. “Additional charges could be forthcoming.”
Brookhaven police began looking into Lafakis’ disappearance Friday. Her family said they were last in contact with her at about 2 that morning, and they had last seen her the day before. After speaking with many of the woman’s loved ones, police made their way to the home of her boyfriend, according to Lt. Jake Kissel, spokesperson for the Brookhaven agency.
“Wineinger was interviewed at police headquarters and, over the course of the interview, made several statements that were proven to be false,” Kissel said.
As a result of that interview, he was arrested Saturday on charges of making false statements and tampering with evidence and booked into the DeKalb County jail. Kidnapping and first-degree burglary charges were added later.
In Gwinnett, Wineinger is facing the single charge of concealing a death.
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Madiedo said “investigative leads” led Brookhaven police into the area of Drowning Creek Road east of Dacula. It becomes a dirt road at Old Freeman Road and Turkey Crossing, where Lafakis’ body was discovered about 4 p.m. Sunday.
“Gwinnett County police homicide and Brookhaven investigators responded to the location and confirmed the remains of Aimee Lafakis had been located,” Kissel said.
The investigation into her disappearance and death is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Gwinnett detectives at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,500, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
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