Dr Suzanne Mericle the owner of Mericle Dentistry in St. Simons Island, Georgia faces charges of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property in the first degree, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of 68-year-old James Barron. Responders to a home in Gainesville on March 8, 2025 found Barron who had been shot in his torso in a bedroom. Mericle was in the home at the time was in a relationship with Barron was taken into custody for allegedly shooting Barron. It is alleged that Mericle was under the influence and argued with Barron on March 8 who locked himself in a bedroom. Mericle allegedly got a gun and shot Barron through the bedroom door. Barron was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.