DeKalb man lied about girlfriend killing herself, cops say

DeRon Gude (Photo courtesy of DeKalb County jail)

DeRon Gude (Photo courtesy of DeKalb County jail)

DeRon Gude, a 40-year-old Lithonia resident, dialed 911 last week to report his girlfriend dead.

She'd been shot in the face during a tussle over a gun, the boyfriend claimed. But the medical examiner's office finding showed Nyyokokie Hendley, 39, was shot from more than three feet away, according to warrants released Monday afternoon.

Gude is charged with murder. He is also accused of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after police allegedly discovered the makings of a dealing operation in his apartment on Place Fontaine near Fairington and Panola roads.

Gude told police Hendley was “damaging items” in the apartment before they fought over the gun and it went off in her face as she held it, the warrant says.

Gude remained in the county jail without bond Tuesday.

The "celebration of life" for Hendley is set for noon Friday at Peace Baptist Church, 4000 Covington Highway, Decatur, according to her death notice.

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