Bell Mountain twins' deaths: Family now accepts GBI ruling
Private review leads Bell Mountain twins' family to accept ruling
After conducting an independent investigation, the family of 19-year-old twins has accepted the GBI's findings that their tragic deaths were a double suicide.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Months after publicly questioning how nineteen-year-old twins Qaadir and Naazir Lewis were found shot to death on Bell Mountain, their family says it now accepts the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's conclusion that the deaths were a double suicide.
What we know:
The initial ruling was met with strong public skepticism from the Lewis family, who noted that the tragedy was completely unexpected. Family member Yasmine Brawner explained the initial disbelief, "Because it was just out of character for them. They were always happy. We didn't see any signs. So, this is a huge shock for us."
In a Facebook post over the weekend, the twins' aunt, Brawner, shared that the family reviewed the GBI's investigative files, hired two independent homicide investigators to examine the evidence and obtained independent autopsy reviews. After each review reached the same conclusion as state investigators, they now accept the teens took their own lives.
Brawner detailed the painful crossroads they faced when the independent reviews aligned with the official state narrative: "It was just really hard. It was a lot. From right there we were like do we go ahead and move to acceptance and start our healing process and our journey, or do we just go off emotion and not start our healing process?"
The family added, "We remain committed to honoring Naazir and Qaadir's memory, promoting mental health awareness, and helping others know they are not alone." They also expressed deep gratitude to the supporters whose donations helped cover funeral expenses, the independent investigations, autopsy reviews, and mental health counseling.
Qaadir and Naazir Lewis (FOX 5 Atlanta obtained permission from the rights holder)
A dramatic shift from earlier statements
What they said earlier:
The Facebook post marks a significant shift in the family's public position.
After the bodies of 19-year-old twins Qaadir and Naazir Lewis were found on Bell Mountain in Towns County in April 2025, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation concluded the brothers died in a suicide-suicide. Their family strongly disputed that finding, saying the twins were thriving college students with no known history that would suggest they would take their own lives. Relatives repeatedly called for an independent investigation, saying they believed the circumstances surrounding the deaths pointed to possible foul play.
If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (tel:18002738255). Or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line)
Those concerns resurfaced in August 2025 after 38-year-old Gwinnett County resident Phat Tan Bui was found dead on Bell Mountain. Authorities classified his death as an apparent suicide, but both Bui's family and the Lewis family questioned the ruling. They cited similarities between the cases and urged authorities to conduct a more extensive investigation. At the time, the GBI said it stood by its findings in the Lewis case while continuing to investigate Bui's death.
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Facing reality amid online speculation
Dig deeper:
The case previously drew similarities to the later discovery of 38-year-old Phat Tan Bui on Bell Mountain in August 2025, which was also ruled an apparent suicide. Because both families initially questioned the official findings, public speculation has remained active.
Many online still believe the twins were killed, but their aunts say they are left with no choice but to face a heartbreaking reality. Sabriya Brawner shared the painful, lingering questions the family must now live with every day, "We have to live with questions about why did it happen? What does suicidal ideation look like? Because we didn't see the signs. They went to our family events. They smiled. We were happy."
What happened to the twins
The backstory:
In April 2025, 19-year-old twins Qaadir and Naazir Lewis, of Gwinnett County, were found dead on Bell Mountain in Towns County after family members reported them missing. The discovery quickly drew statewide attention because relatives said the brothers had been planning to fly to Boston, but their bodies were instead found more than 90 miles away in the North Georgia mountains.
After an extensive investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation concluded the brothers died in a suicide-suicide. Their family publicly rejected that finding, insisting the twins were thriving college students with no known history that suggested they would take their own lives. Relatives launched a GoFundMe campaign to pay for independent autopsy reviews and hired two homicide investigators to examine the evidence, while repeatedly calling for an independent investigation into the deaths.
Qaadir and Naazir Lewis (courtesy of family)
Moving forward
What's next:
The family says they now plan to use their platform to honor the twins’ memory by raising mental health awareness and encouraging open conversations.
Brawner offered a vital reminder to the public, hoping that opening up about her family's loss might help save another life.
"Even if someone seems happy on the outside, you don't know what's going on with them inside," Brawner said. "So, it's always important to just check on your loved ones, check on your friends. You never know what they're battling inside."
She also expressed gratitude to the community members who supported the family throughout the investigation and the months following the brothers' deaths, saying that support helped them seek independent reviews while also providing counseling during an extraordinarily difficult time.