Twins, 19, found shot to death on mountain a day after missing their flight

A family is seeking clarity following the tragic discovery of 19-year-old twin brothers who were found shot to death on a mountain, just one day after they missed a flight. Qaadir and Naazir Lewis, originally from Lawrenceville, Georgia, were reported missing on March 7 after they failed to board a flight to Boston to visit friends.

The bodies of the twin brothers were located the next day by a hiker at the summit of Bell Mountain, close to the North Carolina border. Authorities have suggested that the circumstances surrounding their deaths may indicate a murder-suicide; however, their devastated family rejects this notion. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations is currently looking into the case, as the family insists that the twins were inseparable and would never harm each other.

Their uncle, Rahim Brawner, expressed his disbelief during an interview with WXIA-TV, stating, “They were very protective of one another. Their bond was strong, and I can’t imagine them ever getting into a fight.”

The twins’ aunt, Yasmin Brawner, emphasized that they had a robust support network and would have sought help if they were facing difficulties or had suicidal thoughts. She firmly believes that their deaths were the result of an external factor, asserting, “We know them well. They would never do anything like this. To suggest they harmed each other is unfathomable. Something occurred in those mountains, and we demand answers.”

In response to the tragedy, she has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover the funeral costs, which has successfully raised over $22,000, surpassing its $20,000 goal. In the campaign, she stated, “Recent news reports have suggested that they took their own lives. My nephews would never do such a thing! They came from a loving family and had aspirations for their future, including dreams of launching their own clothing line.”
Tragically, an incident at Bell Mountain resulted in the deaths of 19-year-old twins Qaadir and Naazir, which requires further investigation. Family members have described the twins as “inseparable.” Credit: GoFundMe

The family has expressed their frustration at not receiving any information regarding how Qaadir and Naazir traveled from the airport to Bell Mountain, especially since the twins had reportedly never visited the area before and were not known to engage in hiking activities.

Additionally, it was reported that both individuals were discovered with gunshot wounds and their plane tickets still in their wallets.

Their aunt, Samira Brawner, stated, “We seek answers; we want to understand precisely what happened to the twins.

“How did they find themselves in the mountains? They do not hike there, nor have they ever been to that location.

“They are unfamiliar with Hiawassee, Georgia, so how did they end up there?”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations has confirmed that autopsies for both men have been completed, but officials are still awaiting the results of further forensic tests before determining the official cause of death.

Our thoughts are with the loved ones of Qaadir and Naazir during this profoundly difficult time.