Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Lanier Drowning Victim Identified

Gwinnett Medical Examiner says official cause is accidental drowning.

The and was located in the water two days later has been ruled an accidental drowning.

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

Beltron went missing Saturday following a baptism at Buford Lake Park. He was allegedly last seen wading in the water at about 6 p.m. After a two-day search by several agencies, the victim’s body was located in the water Monday morning by Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.

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WSB TV in Atlanta reported that family members of Beltron are questioning the circumstances surrounding the drowning. He is reported to have been in the water with a church group for a baptism. According to the official report by the DNR, Beltron was unable to swim.

Lt. Eric Eberly, public information officer for GCFES, said from what they were told at the scene, the baptism had been earlier that evening and the service was over by the time Beltron went missing.

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β€œThey 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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