Crime & Safety

Lake Lanier Death Ruled Accidental Drowning

Results of autopsy by Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's Office released Tuesday afternoon.

The death of the man who went missing at Lake Buford Park at Lake Lanier Saturday and was located in the water two days later has been ruled an accidental drowning.

Ted Bailey, chief forensic investigator with the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's office, ruled that Ciro Jimenez-Beltran, 37, died as the result of accidental drowning following an autopsy.

Beltron, a Forest Park resident, went missing Saturday following a baptism at Buford Lake Park. He was reportedly last seen wading in the water at about 6 p.m. After a two-day search by several agencies, his body was located in the water Monday morning by .

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WSB-TV in Atlanta reported that Beltron's family members are questioning the circumstances surrounding the apparent drowning. He apparently had been at the lake with a church group for a baptism ceremony. Beltron reportedly was unable to swim.

Lt. Eric Eberly, public information officer for Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, said from what they were told at the scene the baptism service had occurred earlier and was over by the time Beltron went missing.

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“They were just hanging around enjoying the remainder of the day playing in the water at the beach area of the park,” Eberly said.


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