St. Simons Island dentist charged with murder, accused of shooting her partner inside their home

GAINESVILE, Ga. – A Gainesville, Georgia, woman was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of her partner inside their home on Saturday, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies identified the suspect as Suzanne Renee Mericle, 61, who is accused of shooting James David Barron, 68, with a handgun inside their home on Bayridge Drive off C. Rogers Road.

Hall County deputies said they responded to the home around 1:15 a.m. and found Barron unresponsive in a bedroom, with a gunshot wound to his torso. Deputies said Mericle was at the home when they arrived.

First responders transported Barron to a nearby hospital where he died, according to the sheriff’s office.

Mericle owned a dentistry office, Mericle Dentistry, in St. Simons Island.

Social media shows Suzanne Mericle owned a dentistry office, Mericle Dentistry, in St. Simons Island. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

Mericle is now charged with felony murder, aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

She remains in jail without bond.


About the Authors
Marcela Camargo headshot

Marcela joined News4JAX in 2023. She grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Now, she is a proud San Diego State University alumna who has many years of experience in TV and digital journalism.

Erik Avanier headshot

Award-winning broadcast and multimedia journalist with 20 years experience.

Loading...