Friend of Erin Edwards reveals details on murder-suicide victim's relationship with mom suspected in her death

A friend and classmate of 20-year-old Erin Edwards, who died last week in an apparent double murder-suicide, has spoken out on the victim's relationship with her mother, the primary suspect in her slaying.

Boston University student Sofia Colombo-Abdullah expressed shock following news that Erin and her brother, 24-year-old Christopher Edwards Jr., had allegedly been shot and killed by their mother, 58-year-old Marsha Edwards, before she turned the gun on herself in the family's Georgia townhouse.

"Erin and her mom were best friends," Colombo-Abdullah told the Boston Globe. "We don't understand what happened, but Erin loved her mom and her whole family."

The student, who said she befriended Erin in a sociology class last year, also took to Instagram to share a tribute to the young victim, writing that she remembered "wanting to be your friend before I ever even met you" and that she was "glad" she got that chance.

Colombo-Abdullah is not the only person baffled by the case, which left multiple communities reeling as they attempted to figure out how such an unthinkable tragedy could befall the seemingly tight-knit family.

Neighbor Talia Cartall told WSB-TV the crime has made "a huge impact on everyone in the neighborhood."

"For something like this to happen and unfold, it's unbelievable," she told the station. "We didn't hear anything. There was no sign of violence or anything."

"From our knowledge, no malice between the children, nothing like that. They just seemed like a normal, happy, cool family," she added.

Confusion surrounding the case may be partially explained by a glance at the victims' or the suspect's social media profiles, all of which seem to reveal a loving family that travels and celebrates milestones together.

In June, Marsha Edwards shared a picture of herself posing with her two children to celebrate their birthdays, Erin's on June 21 and Christopher's on June 30.

"Sending birthday wishes to my June Blessings," she wrote at the time. "Happy Birthday to you both. #mybestguy #mybestgirl."

On Wednesday, the same day Marsha, Erin and Christopher's bodies were discovered by police officers conducting a welfare check, the suspect had taken to Instagram to gush about the two victims.

"I've had the best summer, first with Chis [sic] in Miami, and Erin in Italy," she wrote. "I could not ask for better children."

The two social media posts are just a sample of the lengthy and confusing digital paper trail left behind by the family.