Man Found Dead near Bella Vista Apartments

Updated, 2 p.m. July 29

Police identified the dead man as Darinel Martinez Lopez. The cause of death is unknown, pending an autopsy.

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Updated 9 a.m. July 29

Gwinnett Police responded to the Bella Vista Apartments at 4015 Satellite Blvd. in unincorporated Duluth about 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28, to find a deceased male in his mid-20s.

The case is thought to be a homicide, but the cause of death is yet to be determined, Cpl. T.R. Tobler reported in a news release.

In a followup news release Monday (July 29), Gwinnett Police reported that the death is being investigated as a homicide, but the manner of death is not readily apparent and will require further forensic examination. Motive and possible suspect(s) are not readily known.  

The Gwinnett County Police Department’s Homicide and Crime Scene Units were called to the scene, collected evidence and interviewed potential witnesses. During the course of the investigation, the victim was identified and the information will be released pending confirmation that next-of-kin has been notified. The investigation remains active.

Someone walking through a greenspace that separates the apartment complex from Satellite Boulevard made the discovery and called police, Tobler said.

The case remains active as leads are being followed, he said.

Watch Duluth Patch for more updates.