Community Corner

Kennesaw Man Faces Charges in Teen's Death

He allegedly served alcohol to underage guests at a July 11 party in Kennesaw. A 16-year-old boy died.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Kennesaw man who allegedly served alcohol to underage guests, a decision authorities said contributed to the death of a Cherokee County teen.

While Kennesaw police do not know how 20-year-old Kyle Walker "came in possession of the alcoholic beverages," they said he provided vodka and rum to James Matthew Cole, Stewart Nick Murray and Alexsander Fraire, and encouraged "the chugging of these beverages" during a July 11 party at his Live Oak Drive residence.

Like Walker, Cole and Murray are 20 years old. Fraire was 16 years old.

"Based on testimony from Cole and Murray, before Fraire left 1711 Live Oak Drive, (he) was vomiting, unable to walk or talk and had labored breathing," police said in the warrant. "The subject had to be carried to the vehicle."

Cole and Murray drove Fraire from Kennesaw to their Towne Lake apartment complex, according to the warrant. Walker was with them.

"Once at the apartment complex," police said in the warrant, "(Fraire) had to be carried to the apartment by Murray, Cole and Walker."

Around 7:30 a.m. July 12, detectives with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at the Terraces at Towne Lake Apartments on Towne Lake Hills South Drive, where Fraire was found unresponsive, Cherokee sheriff's Lt. Jay Baker said at the time.

"Based on the investigation of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office," Kennesaw authorities said in the Cobb arrest warrant, "it is believed the consumption of alcohol was a contributing factor in the death of the juvenile."

Walker faces multiple charges, including three counts of furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under 21, one count of alcohol possession and one count of reckless conduct.

Cole and Murray each face one count of alcohol possession.

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