A Georgia mother posted a chilling Bible passage on social media just hours before investigators say she was killed by her husband in an apparent murder-suicide.
Martha Holladay, 43, shared Matthew 13:40-42 on her Instagram story on June 7 alongside footage of herself gardening and a message referencing “the end.”
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age,” the verse read. She also tagged Kingdom Exchange Ministries, a faith-based gardening group where she appeared to volunteer.
The rest of the Bible verse, which she did not include in the caption but referenced in the verse numbers, includes violent language.
The passage continues: “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
According to authorities, the mother of three made the post at about 3 p.m. Sunday. Police were later called to the family’s home in Johns Creek, Georgia, around 11 p.m., where officers say her husband, Richard Holladay, 52, fatally shot her.
Investigators said Richard Holladay then shot himself while the couple’s three sons — ages 17, 13 and 12 — were still inside the house.
Richard, who went by the nickname Trey, owned his own skydiving company and was previously a candidate for Johns Creek City Council in 2017, where he ran as a Republican. He lost the race.
The couple enjoyed doing CrossFit together and Trey is understood to have been a coach (pictured in 2014)
Martha Holladay, 43, was shot dead in an apparent murder-suicide by her husband Richard Holladay, 52, in their home on Sunday night
Martha Holladay, 43, shared a haunting Bible verse to social media just hours before she was killed by her husband in a horror murder-suicide
Martha’s mysterious religious post shortly before her murder comes as her loved ones said she was known as a devout Christian, who ‘loved her children and Jesus fiercely.’
Police were called to the home shortly before midnight after receiving reports of a ‘domestic incident’ when one of the couple’s teenage sons called 911.
Officers were met outside by one of the couple’s sons, who said an altercation between his parents escalated into gunfire earlier that night.
Inside the home, both Richard and Martha were found dead.
Police said they believe Richard shot and killed his wife before taking his own life, and both were determined to have died from gunshot wounds to the head.
Authorities said the children were put in the custody of their relatives, and added that the investigation into the deaths remains open.
Authorities have not provided details on why Richard murdered his wife and himself.
The couple, who have been together for more than a decade, appeared to have often enjoyed activities together with their children on social media in the past.
In a picture shared in 2014, the skydiver was seen with his wife and two young sons after he finished a jump. Alongside owning his own skydiving business, Trey also appears to have been a trained CrossFit coach.
The pair appeared to have often enjoyed activities together with their children on social media in the past – including a picture shared in 2014 where Trey was seen with his wife and two young sons after he finished a skydiving jump
Richard Holladay, who went by Trey, owned his own skydiving company, and was previously a candidate for Johns Creek City Council in 2017, where he ran as a Republican
The mother-of-three’s cryptic Instagram post was shared just hours before she was killed by her husband Richard Holladay, 53, in their home in Johns Creek, Georgia
Tributes poured in for Martha following news of her death, with friends describing her as an ‘incredible woman.’
Her friend Meredith Kurbel said in a social media tribute that she was devastated by the murder, and said: ‘You didn’t deserve this! Your boys didn’t deserve this!’
‘You were a light in any room, a kind and beautiful woman!’ Kurbel wrote.
‘I’m still processing this unbelievable tragedy,’ she said. ‘I love you sweet lady and I know you’re with God, but I’m gonna miss you so much Rest in Peace sweet friend.’
Martha was a member of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and the institution said in a tribute on social media that it was ‘devastated’ by her murder.
‘Martha was a beautiful and talented professional who created and led Chamber events with a passion to make our members feel happy and connected,’ the chamber said in an Instagram post.
Martha’s friend Meridith Kurbel said in a social media tribute that she was devastated by the murder
The couple were both found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in their rural home in Johns Creek, Georgia, with their three teenage sons inside
The institution said Martha’s colleagues ‘remember her as a woman of great faith and positivity who was deeply empathetic and always pouring into others.’
‘She left a lasting impact on all of us,’ the group said. ‘We mourn her untimely death and pray for her sons who she loved deeply and with all her heart.’
Her friend Kara Davis added in a tribute that Martha ‘was an incredible woman and mother who loved her children and Jesus fiercely.’
‘She gave so much to everyone around her and had an infectious loving and positive spirit,’ she wrote.
‘She will be missed greatly.’
