What was Tamla like?
"Kind and big-hearted"
Tamla Horsford, a forty-year-old mother, was often described as being kind and big-hearted. In an article by The Daily Beast, it states, “Horsford was the type of person who volunteered in all her children’s classrooms” (Shugerman). She was always eager to help her family, and her family always came first. The night before her tragic death, she had spent hours upon hours prepping a breakfast casserole to leave for her family (1). Since she was so busy prepping the casserole she lost track of time and arrived at the party late, but none of that mattered to her because she was doing something for her family (Pelisek). Tamla was a kind, caring and big-hearted mother, and her death continues to plague the minds of those who believe she was murdered.
"Outgoing"
Tamla was an outgoing woman who could befriend anyone. A guest at the party named Paula, who she had just met, stated, “Tam was in a great mood. She was dancing and she was talking to everybody, she engaged with everybody, she's got that personality” (MacGuill). Other party attendees were complete strangers to Tamla, but that did not stop her from striking up a conversation or introducing herself. In an article by Rolling Stone, it states, “Horsford was the life of the party — she liked to laugh, to dance, to have fun. When the Horsford’s moved to Georgia five and a half years earlier for Leander’s work, it was this warmth that had attracted Meyers and others to the charismatic mother” (Cappello, The Unanswered Questions of Tamla Horsford’s Death.). Tamla could befriend anyone, and it is no surprise she left such an impression even on strangers.
"Seasoned Drinker"
Tamla was a seasoned drinker. The night Tamla passed away she had been drinking with the other women (Cappello, The Unanswered Questions of Tamla Horsford’s Death). In an article by Rolling Stone, partygoer Bridget Fuller stated, “it would take an ‘enormous amount [of alcohol] to knock her on her ass’. Bridget, who had met Tamla once or twice before, already knew that she could manage her liquor. When being interviewed by police, partygoer Stacy Smith told officers Tamla was not displaying any signs of illness due to alcohol” (1). A friend of Tamla, named Diane Koulouvaris, stated, “[The accident theory] just doesn’t make sense. Not when everyone there said she was fine” (1). There was not just one account stating Tamla was acting normal, but there were multiple accounts stating the same that night. In an interview with Lee Horsford, widow of Tamla, conducted by Tamika Mallory, he stated, “We’re both from the islands and we both grew up drinking, she could handle her liquor” (Mallory). The night Tamla died, it was speculated that she drank too much and fell off a balcony—that it was simply an accident (1). However, all the statements prove she had a high alcohol tolerance and showed no form of struggle.
"Not Suicidal"
Tamla was not suicidal; she loved life. The morning Tamla was found dead by Madeline Lombardi, Barrera and Meyers dialed 911 (Cappello, The Unanswered Questions of Tamla Horsford’s Death). During the phone call Barrera mentioned how Tamla had been found to which the dispatcher responded, “Do you know if she was suicidal at all” (11Alive). While it may seem like a harmless question to ask, it can lead to planting a certain scenario. Barrera followed up with, “ It’s twenty feet from where your feet are standing on the railing” (1). While it is possible she might have jumped, none of the partygoers had thought of that scenario until the dispatcher questioned her mental state. Tamla loved her life and her family. In an article by 11Alive, it states, “Tamla Horsford was a ray of light, according to her family. A mother of five boys who put everyone else first” (Kinkade). In an article by Snopes, it states, “At one point in the night, she Facetimed her stepdaughter, who was expecting a child, and expressed considerable excitement about the arrival of the new baby” (MacGulli). It was clear as day that Tamla was looking forward to becoming a grandmother. So, why would a woman that was so devoted to her family randomly jump off a balcony?
