Snapped: Women Who Murder – BONUS: De'Asia Page and Jared Kemp (Snapped: Killer Couples)
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Oxygen
Introduction to the Case
In this bonus episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, Oxygen delves into the harrowing case of De'Asia Page and Jared Kemp, a couple whose tumultuous relationship culminated in the brutal murder of beloved grandmother Tony Abad. This detailed exploration uncovers the complexities of their relationship, the sequence of events leading to the crime, and the subsequent investigation that brought the killers to justice.
Discovery of the Crime
On December 22, 2017, the quiet Atlanta suburb of Fairburn, Georgia, was shattered by a gruesome discovery. Local police received a call about a suspicious vehicle parked behind a popular restaurant. Upon arrival, officers found Tony Abad's car with the driver's side window shattered and her keys left inside. As Detective [Last Name] explains, “[00:04:05] Once the officers arrived at the location, they observed the driver's side window busted out and the keys to the vehicle was laying on the car seat” (Detective, [04:05]).
Further investigation revealed Tony’s lifeless body in the trunk, showing signs of severe beating. The initial appearance of the crime scene suggested a violent struggle, but with no immediate leads, the motive remained elusive.
Victim Background: Tony Abad
Tony Abad was a 58-year-old beloved grandmother known for her southern charm and dedication to her family. Described by her family as “a perfect grandmother” ([07:54] Family Member), Tony was a divorced mother to four boys and a grandmother to five. She was the deli manager at a popular Fairburn grocery store, where she was affectionately called “the mom of the store” by her coworkers ([08:18] Detective).
Tony's life was centered around her family and community, making her murder all the more shocking to those who knew her. Her bright smile and welcoming nature left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Investigation and Initial Leads
The investigation quickly turned perplexing. With Tony’s cell phone missing but her keys and wallet found in the car, robbery was ruled out as the primary motive. Detective [Last Name] noted, “[09:44] Detective: Police were unable to find her cell phone, but Toni's keys and her wallet were still in the car. Her credit cards and her ID were still in her wallet. There was something going on here other than a robbery” ([09:44]).
Detectives reached out to Tony’s family to break the devastating news, with emotions running high as one family member recounted, “[10:10] I was in denial, thinking, it can't be my mother” ([10:10]).
Introduction of De'Asia Page
As the investigation delved deeper, a significant lead emerged involving De'Asia Page, an 18-year-old high school dropout with a troubled home life. De'Asia had recently become entangled in a difficult relationship with Jared Kemp, a local 18-year-old who would later be implicated in the murder.
Detectives uncovered that De'Asia had been seeking help and had a precarious living situation, often staying at a local Texaco gas station ([25:21] Detective). Her desperation led her to seek assistance, ultimately crossing paths with Tony Abad.
Relationship with Jared Kemp
Jared Kemp, described as “charming, handsome, popular by all accounts” ([19:42] Detective), was De'Asia’s boyfriend. Their relationship was tumultuous, marked by Jared's negative influence on De'Asia. As De'Asia grew closer to Jared, her behavior became increasingly erratic, withdrawing from friends and family, and showing signs of intense emotional disturbance.
Her mother recounted the growing issues, stating, “[20:04] Narrator: It wasn't long before Deazia had fallen head over heels for the high school” ([19:42] Detective), and “[20:33] Detective: All the time as a teenager, when you're in love, you want to do anything to, like, make that person happy to be with them” ([20:54] Witness).
Events Leading to the Murder
The night of the murder was a turning point in De'Asia and Jared's relationship. According to De'Asia's confession, she accepted a ride from Tony Abad to seek shelter at Jared's location. During the drive, two men attacked the vehicle. Jared Kemp emerged, wielding a baseball bat, and brutalized Tony, leading to her death. De'Asia was coerced into helping conceal the crime, driven by her obsession with Jared.
De'Asia recounted, “[28:16] Detective: She stated that while they're driving down the road, two black men jumped out and started attacking the vehicle” ([28:16]). She further described the harrowing scene: “[34:26] Witness: When she's out on the asphalt, Diazia would be standing over her. Now Jared Kemp is standing over her as well, and she says, please don't do this” ([34:26]).
Arrest and Charges
The breakthrough came when De'Asia Page turned herself in to the Fulton County Police. Initially, her story of being forced to help dispose of Tony's body was met with skepticism. Detectives, however, uncovered digital evidence from Jared's phone that contradicted his claims of a casual relationship with De'Asia. His search history revealed interest in the case shortly before Tony’s body was found, strengthening the case against him.
Detective [Last Name] stated, “[41:18] Detective: That on the day that we located Tony Abbott's body, he was searching for a dead lady in the trunk of a car in Fairburn” ([41:18]).
Eventually, Jared Kemp was arrested and charged with felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and vehicle hijacking. De'Asia received a plea deal, agreeing to testify against Jared in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Trial and Conclusion
The trial presented irrefutable digital evidence and De'Asia’s testimony against Jared. Despite Jared’s initial cooperation, his reluctance to provide a consistent narrative and the overwhelming digital footprint linked him to the crime. The prosecution successfully argued that Jared was the mastermind who orchestrated the murder, driven by personal motivations and his toxic influence over De'Asia.
In October 2019, Jared Kemp was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to life in prison. De'Asia Page, in exchange for her cooperation, received a 30-year sentence. The Abad family found some solace in the conviction, though the pain of losing a cherished family member remained.
Reflections and Takeaways
This tragic case underscores the destructive power of manipulative relationships and the extreme actions that can stem from emotional turmoil. De'Asia Page’s vulnerability and Jared Kemp’s influence led to the loss of a beloved community member, highlighting the importance of intervention and support for individuals in precarious situations.
Detective [Last Name] reflected on the case, stating, “[44:51] Detective: It was senseless. It was useless. And ultimately, it took away this woman who was beloved in her community. And for what? They didn't get the car. They didn't get any money. They didn't have to do what they did” ([44:51]).
The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences that can arise from unchecked relationships and the importance of community vigilance in preventing such horrors.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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“She was willing to do anything. He was denying their relationship and she got angry” ([02:43] Detective).
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“[09:44] Detective: Police were unable to find her cell phone, but Toni's keys and her wallet were still in the car” ([09:44]).
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“[20:54] Witness: All the time as a teenager, when you're in love, you want to do anything to, like, make that person happy to be with them” ([20:54]).
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“[28:16] Detective: She stated that while they're driving down the road, two black men jumped out and started attacking the vehicle” ([28:16]).
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“[41:18] Detective: That on the day that we located Tony Abbott's body, he was searching for a dead lady in the trunk of a car in Fairburn” ([41:18]).
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“[44:51] Detective: It was senseless. It was useless. And ultimately, it took away this woman who was beloved in her community” ([44:51]).
Conclusion
The Snapped: Women Who Murder episode on De'Asia Page and Jared Kemp offers a chilling exploration into a case where love turned deadly. Through meticulous investigation and compelling testimony, justice was served, but not without leaving an indelible mark on the community and the lives involved. This case illustrates the depths of human emotion and the lengths individuals may go when manipulated by toxic relationships.
For more true crime stories and detailed investigations, subscribe to Snapped: Women Who Murder on your preferred podcast platform.