Twin brothers Qaadir and Naazir Lewis, both 19, never boarded their flight to Boston. The next day, a hiker found them dead.
Qaadir and Naazir Lewis were both found dead in the mountains of Georgia. On March 8, 2025, a hiker found the brothers at the summit of Bell Mountain, near the North Carolina border. Both had suffered gunshot wounds.
The twins, who lived in Lawrenceville, Georgia, had been expected to travel to Boston to visit friends. However, they never boarded their scheduled flight on March 7.
When their bodies were found, their plane tickets were reportedly still in their wallets. The GBI later found that only Naazir went to the airport the day before, that he was the only one with a ticket, and that he didn’t board and instead returned home, according to NBC.
The family’s questions
One of their relatives’ biggest questions was why the brothers were at Bell Mountain in the first place. According to the family, neither Qaadir nor Naazir had any particular connection to the area, and hiking was not among their usual activities. Their relatives also questioned how the pair got from the airport to the mountain.
Early in the investigation, authorities considered the possibility of a murder-suicide, an explanation the family strongly disputed.
Their uncle, Rahim Brawner, told WXIA-TV: “They’re very protective of each other. They love each other.
“I couldn’t imagine them hurting each other because I’ve never seen them get into a fistfight before.”
“They had dreams of starting their very own clothing line”
Their aunt, Yasmin Brawner, said they were surrounded by a strong support system.
In a statement shared through a GoFundMe fundraiser while the investigation was still ongoing, she also highlighted the plans the young men had been making for their lives.
“They came from a family of love, and twins wanted so much for their future, they had dreams of starting their very own clothing line.
In May 2025, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced that the deaths were a double suicide. According to the agency, forensic evidence showed that both brothers had fired a gun, and investigators also found internet searches related to suicide.
The family’s update
In June 2026, the family shared an update on the GoFundMe page. They said they had reviewed the GBI case files, retained two independent homicide investigators, and obtained independent autopsy reviews.
“With heavy hearts, our family would like to share an update regarding Naazir Rahim Lewis and Qaadir Malik Lewis.
“In our search for answers and clarity, we carefully reviewed the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) case files and retained two independent homicide investigators who thoroughly reviewed the evidence and investigative records. We also obtained independent autopsy reviews.
“After these extensive reviews, all findings were consistent with the GBI’s conclusion that the manner of death was suicide-suicide.
“While this has been incredibly painful to accept, we remain committed to honoring Naazir and Qaadir’s memory, promoting mental health awareness, and helping others know they are not alone.”
Where to get help
On the topic of mental health, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you, or someone you know, is struggling, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741, or contact the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
If your distress feels unbearable, or if you have suicidal thoughts or plans, contact a psychiatric emergency unit immediately or call 911.
For more information about available resources, visit Mental Health America at mhanational.org.
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