Family disagrees with GBI's ruling on deaths of twins found on Bell Mountain
Twins' family disputes GBI's findings in death probe
Family members of twin brothers who died in towns county last month say they don’t agree with the GBI’s ruling that the twins took their own lives. The bodies of Qaadir and Naazir Lewis were found on Bell Mountain in Towns County – about 90 minutes from their home in Lawrenceville.
TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has concluded its inquiry into the deaths of twin brothers Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis, ruling the case a suicide-suicide following an in-depth investigation and autopsy results.
The 19-year-old brothers were found shot to death atop Bell Mountain in Towns County on March 8, more than 90 miles from their home in Lawrenceville.
ORIGINAL STORY: Twin brothers found dead on Bell Mountain in apparent murder-suicide
According to the GBI, investigators reviewed cellphone location data, surveillance footage, internet history, purchase records, and forensic evidence, all of which supported the determination that the injuries sustained by the brothers were self-inflicted.
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Twins' death ruled suicide
What we know:
Cellular location data helped investigators create a timeline that showed the brothers traveling alone from their Gwinnett County home to Bell Mountain. Surveillance video obtained from several points along the route confirmed they were not accompanied by anyone.
Only Naazir Lewis was found to have purchased an airline ticket for a planned March 7 trip to Boston. He went to the airport alone on March 19 but never boarded a flight. Records also show that Naazir purchased ammunition used in the firearm found at the scene, with the order delivered to their home on March 5.
GBI makes ruling on twins' deaths
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has concluded its inquiry into the deaths of twin brothers Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis, ruling the case a suicide-suicide following an in-depth investigation and autopsy results.
Further supporting evidence included internet search histories for topics such as "how to load a gun" and suicide statistics from 2024. Forensic testing confirmed that both brothers had fired the weapon used in the incident.
The GBI met with members of the Lewis family prior to releasing their findings and will formally close the case in the coming weeks.
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Bell Mountain grim discovery
The backstory:
After the twins were found deceased on the mountain, the Lewis family were unconvinced that the brothers took their own lives. In previous interviews, relatives described the twins as upbeat and excited to travel to Boston. Surveillance footage from the night of March 7 showed the brothers calmly eating snacks at a Shell gas station in Lawrenceville, with no visible signs of distress.
Their aunt, Samira Brawner, was vocal about her doubts. "I know that something happened to them. I know that they were murdered," she said in a past interview with FOX 5. The twins’ unused airline tickets were reported as still being in their wallets when their bodies were found, fueling further skepticism from the family.
The GBI's conclusion follows weeks of speculation and community concern, particularly after it was revealed that a firefighter had been arrested for taking unauthorized photos at the death scene and sharing them publicly.
Family reacts to Qaadir and Naazir Lewis' death
What they're saying:
Family members are pushing back against the state’s conclusion that the 19-year-olds died by suicide. The twins’ family says the official story doesn’t make sense.
"They had no reason to take their own lives," said Samira Brawner, the twins’ aunt. "It feels like a nightmare."
Brawner described her nephews as happy, outgoing young men who were close to their family. "Both of them were funny. They loved spending time with family," she said. "No, that doesn’t make any sense."
Twins' family disputes GBI's findings in death probe
Family members of twin brothers who died in towns county last month say they don’t agree with the GBI’s ruling that the twins took their own lives. The bodies of Qaadir and Naazir Lewis were found on Bell Mountain in Towns County – about 90 minutes from their home in Lawrenceville.
"Never been to Bell Mountain," Brawner said. "The GBI told us they were not able to ping their location 30 minutes before reaching the mountain."
Nothing in their behavior seemed unusual, according to another aunt, Sabriyah Brawner.
"Foul play was definitely involved," Sabriyah said. "I feel like they were murdered."
"They had no reason to be there," Samira Brawner said.
Big picture view:
The case stirred deep emotional responses both locally, nationally and online, where supporters of the Lewis family called for further investigation into their deaths.
What's next:
The GBI says the investigation will be formally closed in the coming weeks.