Hiawassee, GA — The tragic discovery of twin brothers Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis, both 19, shot dead on a scenic Georgia mountain has left their family demanding answers, vehemently disputing the initial police theory of a murder-suicide. Found by hikers on March 8 atop Bell Mountain, a locale unfamiliar to them, the twins were about to celebrate their 20th birthdays.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) initially indicated the shootings appeared to be a murder-suicide, based on preliminary findings after the discovery of their bodies. Each brother had suffered gunshot wounds. Despite these findings, family members were quick to challenge this explanation, citing the close bond the twins shared.
According to their uncle, Rahim Brawner, the brothers were deeply protective of one another. “They were inseparable,” Brawner stated. “I couldn’t imagine them hurting each other. They’ve never even been in a fistfight.” The suggestion that one of the brothers could have harmed the other is something the family staunchly opposes.
Further compounding the mystery is the fact that the brothers had never previously visited Bell Mountain, nor had they shown any interest in hiking such locations. They were residents of Lawrenceville, a considerable distance away, and were supposed to catch an early flight to Boston from Atlanta on March 7 to visit friends. Their untaken plane tickets were found in their wallets at the scene.
“Why would they be on that mountain? That’s the question we can’t answer,” remarked Samira Brawner, the twins’ aunt. She emphasized the family’s determination to uncover the full story behind the tragic event.
As the community reels from the shocking news, the GBI asserts that autopsies have been performed, though definitive results await further forensic testing. This delay prolongs the family’s agonizing wait for clarity.
Adding to the layers of this tragedy is the outpouring of community support, evident in a GoFundMe campaign organized to cover funeral expenses. The campaign quickly raised over $22,500, reflecting the broader shock and empathy stirred by the incident.
Family members recall the twins as vibrant young men with aspirations in fashion, dreaming of launching their own clothing line. “They had so much ahead of them,” Yasmine Brawner, another aunt, mentioned. “It’s unthinkable that this could have been a murder-suicide. They loved each other and their family deeply. Something else happened on that mountain.”
The continued insistence by relatives that foul play could be involved has prompted calls for a thorough investigation, as loved ones hold onto the belief that the twins met with some external harm. As the inquiry proceeds, the family remains engaged, awaiting the moment their many questions can be answered, hoping for peace and justice for Qaadir and Naazir.