ME identifies body found in Chattahoochee River as 63-year-old man
ATLANTA - The Fulton County medical examiner has identified the body that was found near a popular walking trail at Whitewater Creek Park off of Whitewater Creek Road.
The medical examiner has identified the man as 63-year-old Michael Hughes of Marietta.
Victoria Herndon discovered Hughes’ body Tuesday night as she walked her dog on the trail. He was face down in a low area on the trail that had filled with water near the Chattahoochee River.
“I got close enough that I could see that there were legs and shoes, so I got like ten feet near it, pulled out my phone and called 911,” said Herndon.
The medical examiner believes Hughes’ death was a suicide.
RELATED: Georgians warned to avoid Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River remained "unsafe" Tuesday for the most part for swimmers and boaters. Since May 30, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been releasing an influx of Lake Lanier due to the record levels caused by runoff from the remnants of Alberto. The releases have caused dangerously fast currents and the potential for high levels of bacteria.
Earlier this month, a 25-year-old man was killed along the river after falling off a rope swing along the river during a tubing trip. Officials said he struck his head and the swift current swept him away before anyone could get to him.