Award-winning playwright Olivia Matthews killed in Georgia fire police say was intentionally set

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Georgia authorities are investigating the death of 32-year-old Mary Olivia Matthews, a celebrated playwright, as a homicide.

On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Smyrna Police and Fire responded to a blaze at 810 Windy Hill Road SE. Inside the apartment, they discovered Matthews’ body. She lived alone.

Although firefighters quickly contained the fire, investigators found injuries on Matthews that were unrelated to the blaze. Police now believe the fire was intentionally set. Surveillance cameras from nearby units were reportedly removed just before the incident.

Olivia Matthews was an award-winning playwright

Matthews, originally from Clearmont, Florida, had recently gained national attention for her award-winning plays, her bio reads. Her work, including Absentia and The Nativity Story Starring Keisha Taylor, earned honors from the Jane Chambers Award and the Eugene O’Neill Center. Her stories often explored resilience, community, and personal transformation.

Investigation

The Smyrna Police Department urges anyone with information to come forward. Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for tips leading to an arrest.

Submit a Tip:

•  Call: 404-577-TIPS (8477)
• Text: CSGA to 738477
• Visit: Crime Stoppers Atlanta or use the P3 Tips app

As tributes pour in, the community mourns the loss of a powerful voice in American theater. Matthews’ legacy lives on through her words and the justice her story demands.