Man accused in teenage sister's murder appears in court

DUNWOODY, Ga. - A 27-year-old Dunwoody man facing several charges after police said he murdered his teen sister Monday afternoon made his first appearance before a judge.

Gavin Henderson is accused of murdering his 15-year-old sister in front of their 12-year-old sibling during a violent attack at a Dunwoody apartment. Disturbing new details emerged during Henderson's first court appearance Tuesday afternoon.

Dunwoody Police responded to the 6600 block of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard just after 3:20 p.m. Monday following a disturbance call. The 911 caller said a man was hitting a female in front of his apartment. When police arrived they found 15-year-old Keaira Henderson collapsed on the breezeway of the Lacota Apartments, stabbed multiple times.

"When officers arrived to the apartment building they found the deceased 15-year-old female in that hallway," Sgt. Robert Parsons, Dunwoody Police Department.

Her brother, walked into a nearby store just moments later, carrying a large knife, according to police, and reportedly told the store clerk to call the police, claiming there'd been an accident. Henderson surrendered to responding officers without incident.

"We recovered a knife at that time that we do believe was the murder weapon," said Sgt. Parsons.

Dunwoody police haven't determined a motive.

"We don't know at this time. We are looking into what led up to this, speaking to other family members that may have information. We're going to be working to find out what led up to this horrible attack," said Sgt. Parsons.

Residents in this quiet Dunwoody apartment complex stunned by the shocking crime, a brother now charged in his sister's murder.

"I was very sad that it was a teenager involved and that she lost her life, and then to find out it was done by a family member," neighbor Andrica Dudley said.

Dudley can't imagine what sparked the violent attack.

Dudley's heart goes out to the family and neighbors touched by the tragedy.

"It's real scary for anyone to have to see something like that.  You never think that would happen where you live," said Dudley.

Henderson was charged with aggravated assault with the intent to murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, and felony murder. He was ordered to remain held at the DeKalb County Jail Tuesday without bond.