Beloved Decatur Cook Killed In Stone Mountain Double Murder

DECATUR, GA -- A popular chef at Noodle Decatur died Sunday morning in a double murder in Stone Mountain. According to the restaurant, Oscar Mateo was a native of Guatemala and "the heart" of the restaurant, whose coworkers have set up a GoFundMe for Mateo's wife and five children he left behind.

Police responded to 4952 Central Drive in Stone Mountain around 6:30 am on Sunday. According to police, officers found two men shot in the chest, both face down. A white Honda Accord was parked inside a nearby carport with its engine running and the driver’s door open. Several shell casings were found. Police detained two men nearby, but both of them were soon released, and police have no suspects in custody.

Noodle Decatur is located on the corner of E. Ponce de Leon Avenue and Church Street.

"You might not have ever seen his face, but if you’ve eaten at Noodle in the last nine years, you’ve eaten something that he’s cooked," the restaurant said in a Facebook post. "If you ever had a fried rice bowl that tasted particularly delicious, guarantee it was Oscar who made it!

"The servers are the face of the restaurant, but Oscar was truly the heart," the restaurant said. "You didn’t see him out in the dining room, but you could taste the love and care he put into every dish that he cooked - seriously, he made the best fried rice you’ve ever had. Oscar was always ready with a smile, a joke, a delicious meal, and a helping hand. He was our numero uno."

"Oscar was a great guy who did not deserve to go out this way," the restaurant said. "He will be dearly missed. Please be kind and understanding if you visit us today; we’re all still a little shaken and distracted. And remember to tell your work family you love them. Too often we forget that tomorrow is not promised."

The GoFundMe page can be found here.

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