A dentist on St. Simons Island, Georgia, is accused of fatally shooting her boyfriend in a home in Gainesville, a suburb northeast of Atlanta.
Suzanne Renee Mericle, 61, has been charged by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office with murder, tampering with evidence, aggravated assault against a spouse or family member, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, obstruction or resisting, driving under the influence, and a traffic-related charge.
The sheriff’s office initially responded to a home off Bayridge Drive in Gainesville at about 1:15 a.m. on March 8.
Deputies discovered an unresponsive man, later identified as 68-year-old David Barron, in his bedroom. The sheriff’s office reported that he had been shot in the torso.
Officials transported Barron to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Mericle is accused of shooting Barron with a handgun.
“They were in a relationship and lived together at the house. Mericle was at home when the deputies arrived, according to a sheriff’s office press release posted on Facebook.
Mericle owns a dental practice on St. Simons Island, a wealthy coastal Georgia town that is a popular vacation destination for both Georgia residents and visitors from other states.
Mericle Dentistry has a 4.8-star Google rating based on 180 reviews, and its slogan is “Anything is possible with a Miracle.”
“I missed seeing Suzan [sic] but there was a super nice male Dr there and he gave me options for fixing a front tooth that always chips,” one patient wrote around the time of Mericle’s arrest.
Other patients posted glowing reviews of Mericle, saying she makes guests “feel very comfortable and at ease,” and describing the business owner as “so friendly and efficient.”
“Suzanne and I have known each other for many years!” one reviewer stated. “She was the family dentist for many years. I also had the opportunity to provide pediatric care for her children.
She’s also a dear friend. Suzanne, like me, has been a single mother who is deeply committed to her children and her profession. She is an amazing woman who I admire and respect. “We love going to the beach!”
Several other reviews describe Mericle as friendly and professional.
Mericle is being held without bond in Hall County. The case remains under investigation.
