Augusta was rocked on the morning of August 17, 2024, when 53-year-old Monique Elaine Hawes was found lying on Dan Bowles Road with a fatal gunshot wound. The Richmond County Coroner’s Office identified her and confirmed she had been shot at least once; authorities immediately opened a homicide investigation.

Born September 14, 1970, Monique Hawes was remembered by family and an obituary as a radiant, compassionate person who spent her life uplifting others. Few investigative details have been released publicly: circumstances leading to the shooting, a possible motive, and whether any suspects exist have not been disclosed.

If anyone has information about Monique’s movements on or before August 17, 2024, or saw anything on Dan Bowles Road that morning, please come forward to assist the ongoing investigation.