Atlanta Police Department investigators are in Piedmont Park this morning after a man was found dead near the dog park.
APD said in a press release that contrary to some media reports, the incident is being investigated as a suicide.
A media release from Sgt. Tasheena Brown of the APD Pubic Affairs Unit said in part:
We want to clarify that, contrary to what has been published by some media outlets, this incident has not been classified as a homicide. It is currently being investigated as a suicide, and any reports suggesting otherwise are both inaccurate and premature.
We recognize that the location of this incident is of particular interest to the public, and we want to assure everyone that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. While we respect the media’s role in keeping the public informed, it is critical that reporters allow detectives the necessary time to conduct a thorough investigation before drawing conclusions. A death investigation involves a comprehensive review of all facts, and premature assumptions can lead to misinformation, which may cause unnecessary alarm within the community.
It is important to note that the presence of detectives from our Homicide Unit at the scene of a death does notautomatically mean that death will be classified as a homicide. During these investigations, incidents are often categorized as “death investigations” because the circumstances surrounding the death may not be immediately apparent. In some cases, detectives rely on the official autopsy report from the medical examiner to provide clarity.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
