Jamal Parker's family filled a Douglas County courtroom this week as the two people accused of killing the Atlanta bartender appeared before a judge on murder charges.
Brittany Amber Baker, 42, and Mario Andre Barber, 46, are accused of killing Parker, dismembering his body and disposing of remains in the Dog River Reservoir west of Atlanta. According to WSB-TV, both entered not guilty pleas and are being held without bond in the Douglas County Jail.
DNA testing identified Parker, 37, nearly a month after remains were recovered from the reservoir on May 15. Public appeals featuring images of distinctive tattoos helped generate tips, and Parker's father ultimately provided DNA that assisted in confirming his son's identity.
Charles Parker attended the hearing alongside other relatives and described the experience as overwhelming. Grief has been compounded by the condition of his son's remains, leaving the family unable to hold the type of funeral they had envisioned.
"I want them to be punished. And I don't even think a life sentence is good enough," Charles Parker told WSB-TV while demanding justice for his son.
Search warrants indicate Parker was killed at a Douglasville residence connected to Baker. During a lengthy search of the property in May, crime-scene personnel were seen removing a reciprocating saw, cleaning supplies and other items while processing evidence from the home.
Detectives have not disclosed what sparked the killing or the nature of Parker's relationship with the two defendants. Baker and Barber remain jailed without bond following their not-guilty pleas.
Relatives say Parker was widely known throughout Atlanta's hospitality scene, where he worked as a bartender and built lasting friendships with customers and coworkers. Friends and colleagues described him as a musician and visual artist whose personality drew people together.
"He was loved by everybody except the people who killed him," Charles Parker said.
Outside the courthouse, relatives gathered behind a simple message that has become a rallying cry since Parker's identification became public: "Justice for Jamal."
Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Parker's family continues seeking answers while the charges remain pending.
Alleged Scammers Accused of Mutilating Jamal Parker, Dumping His Remains in Georgia Reservoir
Forum ChatCommunity / Forum Chat By NewsToter 24/7 Staff Jun. 23, 2026 💬 1 Comment — Join The Discussion
Both of these people are trash. Rip Jamal.