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Written by: E. George
Published August 8, 2024 @ 1:40 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged physical violence against children.
FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. – Jacobean Brown, an 18-year-old Fayetteville man, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional six years, for the murder of 15-year-old Madison Gesswein.
On February 21, 2023, Madison Gesswein was found dead in her bedroom at The Greens at Braelinn apartment complex in Peachtree City. Her mother discovered her body after returning from an overnight shift.
Initial reports suggested that Gesswein had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, a finding later confirmed by authorities. The incident was the first murder in Peachtree City in approximately nine months.
Gesswein, a student at Whitewater High School, was remembered fondly by friends and family. Jada Zimbabwe, a friend of the victim, described her as “really sweet” and “outgoing,” noting that “everyone I know liked her.” The loss has left her friends and the community deeply shaken.
The Peachtree City police quickly identified and arrested three suspects: Justus Smith, Jacobean Brown, and Yeshua Mathis, all 18 years old and from Fayetteville. According to Peachtree City police Assistant Chief Matt Myers, the suspects were acquaintances of Gesswein, and the act was not random. The investigation revealed that the suspects knew the victim and had specific motives related to their interactions with her.
Police found a 9 mm pistol with an extended magazine and cleaning supplies at the crime scene. The initial entry into the apartment was made through Gesswein’s bedroom window, which was found open and disheveled. This window was taken in its entirety as evidence by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Unit.
In a week-long trial that concluded recently, Jacobean Brown was found guilty of Gesswein’s murder. Prosecutors presented text messages between the victim and the defendants, linking them to the crime. The case against Brown was strengthened by evidence of his direct involvement; he had snuck into Gesswein’s apartment and shot her while she was lying in bed.
Fayette County District Attorney Maria Broder expressed her commitment to addressing violence, stating, “Violence by young people is a growing concern across the State. My office is committed to the fight against violence in our communities, no matter the age of the offender.”
Brown’s sentencing to life in prison without parole reflects the gravity of his crime. The case against Smith and Mathis is ongoing, with a trial scheduled for September. All three suspects face murder charges, and additional legal proceedings may follow as the investigation continues.