‘I want to remember her how she was.’ Victims identified in Moss Point double homicide.
Family and the Jackson County Coroner’s Office has identified the two victims in Sunday’s double homicide.
George Kirkland, 32, and 19-year-old Asia “Noonie” Norman were found dead in Kirkland’s home on Old Slag Road in Moss Point.
Another woman, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Singing River Hospital in critical condition. There has not been an update on her condition.
Police Chief Brandon Ashley told the Sun Herald the incident was “not a random act of violence.” He said detectives believe the victims were targeted. Kirkland was beaten and shot, family told the Sun Herald on Sunday.
Edna Thompson, Norman’s grandmother, hasn’t yet finished decorating for Christmas. Her tree is up, she’s wrapped a few gifts. She still plans on finishing her Christmas shopping, but now she will have to also plan a funeral for her granddaughter. It will be the family’s third in just a couple of years.
Norman’s mother died in 2017, and her father died in November 2018.. Thompson said was never quite the same after the death of her parents, but she was a loving young woman.
“She had a nickname for everyone, she was so lovable,” Thompson said. “Asia had a good raising, a good heart and was trying to get it together. I wanted her to go back to school.”
Norman’s sister and cousin also reached out to the Sun Herald. They said that she was a loving, good person who just started to hang out with the wrong crowd.
“She was so talented. She loved art, music and drawing.” Her oldest sister Tierra Patrick said. “She lost herself after her parents died. She was still a happy person with a smile on her face, but you could tell she wasn’t Asia. We did what we could to be there for her.”
“She had a big heart and she loved unconditionally,” Gleniequa Goodwin, Norman’s cousin said. “She was my baby cousin.. she was my baby no matter how old she got. She was always my baby. She’ll forever be loved and missed greatly.”
Norman dropped out after the 11th grade from Moss Point High School. Thompson wanted her to finish school or start working, and said Norman spent most of her time at Kirkland’s home on Old Slag.
Thompson said Norman asked her to pick her up for church last Sunday, but she forgot to get her before the service began.
“I went and forgot to pick her up, and I’m so sorry,” Thompson said. “Most time I’d go over there and knock and no one would answer. I feel bad I didn’t go and bang on the door (of Kirkland’s home). I might have talked to her or she might be right here with me.”
Norman’s clothes are still in drawers and bags on her bedroom floor in Thompson’s home. She picked up a picture that sat on the dresser. “She was a beautiful baby,” Thompson said. “She’s still beautiful.”
She went out to Kirkland’s home Sunday afternoon after police cleared the scene, and she and saw some of Kirkland’s family still there. The two had been dating for a few months.
On Sunday, she walked through the home, but said she couldn’t bear the idea of seeing her granddaughter’s body.
“I want to remember her how she was,” Thompson said. “I hope they find who did it.”
Thompson said Norman’s funeral arrangements will be through Lockett Williams in Gulfport.
Thompson said that in the face of tragedy, she is relying on her faith to keep going.
“God has got this, God will take care of it,” Thompson said. “He wanted her home, now she is.”
This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 2:38 PM.