Missing person case now homicide investigation after decomposing body found

David Barlow was found dead in a wooded area Friday. He was reported missing March 29.

Credit: Clayton County Police Department

Credit: Clayton County Police Department

David Barlow was found dead in a wooded area Friday. He was reported missing March 29.

David Barlow’s car was found running but unoccupied at the end of his mother’s driveway last month, Clayton County police said. Two cellphones were found inside of it.

But Barlow was nowhere to be found.

On Tuesday, authorities identified a decomposed body found on Crystal Lake Road in College Park as Barlow. A preliminary autopsy report determined he died from a gunshot wound.

Barlow’s death is being investigated as a homicide, Clayton County police Sgt. Ashanti Marbury said.

His family reported the 39-year-old missing on March 29. Several days after his disappearance, authorities found Barlow’s wallet in College Park — but not him.

Three weeks passed until a man, searching for his dog who ran into a wooded area, found Barlow’s body Friday.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 404-577-8477.

In other news: