A man whose body was recovered Tuesday morning from Beaver Ruin Creek in western Gwinnett County accidentally drowned, police said Wednesday.
The body was spotted lying facedown and fully clothed in about two feet of water beneath a bridge on Indian Trail Lilburn Road, according to Gwinnett County police. A man walking across the bridge made the discovery before 7:30 a.m. and called 911.
Investigators initially did not know if the death was an accidental drowning or if it was criminal in nature, but they were investigating it as a crime. Police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said there were no obvious signs of trauma, like a stab wound or a gunshot wound.
After an autopsy was performed Tuesday evening, they were able to confirm the man drowned. He has been identified, but authorities have not located his family.
According to the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s office, the man had a lengthy medical history. His toxicology is still pending.
Detectives worked with the crime scene unit to process evidence from the creek Tuesday morning and were trying to track down witnesses. Because the water was shallow and clear, Pihera said officers were able to see to the bottom.
They recovered a wallet, a watch, some coins and a card from among other trash items in the creek, but they do not know if any belonged to the man, she said.
One westbound lane was blocked on Indian Trail Lilburn Road while the recovery effort was underway. The body was located about five feet from a shoreline, police said, and Gwinnett County Water Rescue crews brought in a boat to access it and pull the items from the water.
The scene is across the street from Greater Atlanta Christian School on a busy stretch of roadway with several businesses, fast-food restaurants and an InTown Suites motel.
The body was removed by 10 a.m. and taken to the medical examiner’s office.
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