Body found in Cumming identified, man charged with malice murder

(L)Diaja Benson, 30, whose body was found in Cumming on March 13, 2026, and (R)Loron Spaulding, who has been charged with malice murder in connection to her death. (Dawson County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities have identified the body found in Cumming on March 13 and have arrested a 35-year-old Gainesville man in connection with her murder. 

What we know:

Loron Spaulding was arrested in New Jersey by U.S. Marshals on charges of malice murder.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the body of 30-year-old Diaja Benson of Dawsonville was found in a wooded area near Lanier 400 Parkway and Bald Ridge Road on the morning of March 13. 

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Cumming Police and GBI agents investigate the scene on Bald Ridge Road where a woman’s body was discovered in a wooded area on March 13, 2026. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

The backstory:

Benson had been reported missing by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office back on Feb. 20. 

In an alert to the public, deputies reported that Benson might be in the company of Spaulding.

A missing person's flyer release in February searching for 30-year-old Diaja Benson who was believed to be in the company of 35-year-old Loron Spaulding. (Dawson County Sheriff's Office)

What we don't know:

While authorities have charged Spaulding with malice murder, they have not yet released a potential motive for the killing or clarified the nature of the relationship between Spaulding and Benson.

It remains unclear exactly when Benson died. She was reported missing on Feb. 20, but her body was not discovered until March 13.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has not disclosed the specific cause of death.

Officials have not provided a specific date for when Spaulding will be transported from New Jersey to Georgia to face the charges.

What's next:

Spaulding will be extradited back to Georgia and eventually booked into the Forsyth County Jail to face malice murder charges.

The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting.

CummingDawson CountyNew JerseyCrime and Public Safety