UPDATE (4/11/24): Joey Fournier, one of four inmates who escaped the Bibb County Jail in 2023 before being recaptured, was found guilty last week of malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault in connection with the strangulation death of Cynthia “Cindy” Berry in February 2022.
He was sentenced to life in prison.
According to a news release from Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard’s office, a jury found Fournier guilty after a four-day trial in Bibb County.
Evidence presented during the trial showed Fournier had gone to Berry’s home in violation of a protective order that had been issued against him from a previous domestic violence incident, the release stated.
The DA’s Office says that at some point during the evening, Fournier removed the cord from a hooded jacket and strangled Berry from behind.
“After his arrest, Fournier admitted to law enforcement he had killed Berry, but at trial claimed in so doing he had acted out of a sudden, violent, irresistible passion because of things Berry had said about his daughter,” the release stated.
“Domestic violence can result in a plethora of insidious crimes, which often have violent and tragic consequences,” DA Anita Howard said. “My heart goes out to the family of Ms. Berry who now that they have a measure of justice for this event, must somehow find a way forward with their lives in the midst of their tragic loss. Again, I echo my past plea for those who see the signs of domestic violence in relationships of their loved one—please, please say something . . .before it’s too late.”
UPDATE (2/23/22) – The incident report from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has been released, and it provides more information concerning the situation. According to the report, Deputies were tipped off by family members of the victim, Cynthia Berry, who told them they feared for her life, and that she may be dead.
After entering the home, deputies found Cynthia unresponsive and not breathing, lying on the couch, on her back, with what appeared to be a shoestring around her neck. EMS was called to respond to the location at this point.
After clearing the house, deputies spoke with the family members again, and discovered that Fournier, the suspect, had called a person for a ride to come pick him up outside of the house. When that person came to pick Joey up, deputies say Fournier held the driver at gunpoint and told him to take him to his hunting club. On the way there, Fournider told this person that he and Cynthia had gotten into an argument and that he had choked her to death. The family members learned this by speaking with the driver.
UPDATE (2/23/22) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says charges against Jeffrey Fournier (the suspect’s brother) for hindering apprehension have been dropped.
A mugshot of Joey Fournier has also become available.
UPDATE (2/22/22) – A 50-year-old man and his 46-year-old brother are in custody in connection with the death of 49-year-old Cynthia Berry.
Bibb County Sheriff’s Office investigators, along with members of the U.S. Marshal’s Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, arrested Joey Fournier. He’s charged with murder.
His brother, Jeffrey Fournier, was also arrested. He’s charged with hindering apprehension.
Both men were located in Rome, Georgia and taken into custody to be interviewed before being taken to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center.
Berry was found dead in her home on Monday, February 21, according to a Bibb County Sheriff’s Office news release, which said she died due to strangulation.
ORIGINAL STORY (2/21/22):
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that happened at 309 Winchester Place.
Deputies discovered the body of 49-year-old Cynthia Berry, of Macon, in her home around 1:30 a.m.
More information will be provided once it becomes available.