GAINESVILLE, Georgia — The family of the victim in the murder case involving a St. Simons Island dentist has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

Suzanne Mericle is accused of shooting and killing James David Barron at their home in Gainesville, Georgia on March 8, 2025. Mericle is the owner of Mericle Dentistry on St. Simons Island.

The lawsuit was filed March 19 on behalf of Barron’s two children. The complaint alleges Barron locked himself in a bedroom after getting into an argument with Mericle. It further states Mericle shot Barron through the door of the bedroom, ultimately killing him. The complaint also alleges Mericle was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the shooting.

Barron’s children are seeking to recover all damages allowable by law, including for Barron’s lost wages, mental and physical suffering, funeral expenses, and attorney fees.

First Coast News reached out to the attorneys for Barron’s children for a statement, but we have not heard back yet. 

Mericle has been charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. She is being held in the Hall County jail.