Police identify woman found dead on Decatur street as 44 yr-old Karen Pearce

Police are investigating after a woman was found shot to death in Downtown Decatur Saturday night.

At around 11 p.m. witnesses told police they saw the victim laying on the ground as they were exiting a parking area behind shops and restaurants in the 100 block of East Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Decatur police said Karen Pearce, 44, of Smya, Georgia, had been shot.

Police said Pearce left Leon's Full Service and was walking in an area adjacent to where her vehicle was parked.

Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot in the area just prior to the discovery of Pearce's body, however, the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Police are investigating but have not said if the woman was targeted or a victim of a random robbery.

The owner of true Salon/Spa, where Pearce worked, released the following statement:

It is with profound sadness that we can confirm Karen Pearce, a talented and popular stylist at true Salon/Spa, was killed Saturday evening. While we are all in shock and grasping to understand how something so tragic could happen to a woman with such a beautiful heart, we must believe justice will prevail.

Investigators are working around the clock to identify a motive and suspect in this case. If you have any information please contact the Decatur Police Department at 404-373-6551 or Crimestoppers at 404/577-TIPS.