COLUMBUS, Ga. – A man’s body was found on the rocks along the Chattahoochee River near the TSYS campus Wednesday afternoon, prompting concerns that the extreme heat may have played a role in the death.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan confirmed the discovery, stating that he received a dispatch call around 3:00 p.m. and arrived at the scene shortly after. The man was officially pronounced dead at 3:25 p.m.
Coroner Believes Heat May Be a Factor
“It’s been in the high 90s the last couple of days,” Bryan told WRBL. He noted that a fisherman had seen the man in the same area two days earlier and returned Wednesday to find the body.
Bryan emphasized that while the official cause of death has yet to be confirmed, the extreme temperatures in recent days are a likely factor. He is also waiting on autopsy results from two other June deaths that may have also been heat-related.
Ongoing Heat Wave Raises Public Safety Concerns
The Chattahoochee Valley region has been under high heat advisories this week, with officials encouraging residents to limit time outdoors and stay hydrated. This incident highlights the increasing risks of exposure near bodies of water or undeveloped outdoor areas during extreme weather.
While the man’s identity has not been publicly released, officials say there is no indication of foul play at this time.
For more on how to protect yourself during high temperatures, visit this WRBL guide.
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