Burned Body Found at Stone Mountain Sparks Investigation

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Authorities are investigating a burned body discovered by a hiker early Saturday morning in a remote area of Stone Mountain Park. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is leading the investigation after receiving a 911 call around 8:18 a.m., according to John Bankhead, spokesperson for the Stone Mountain Park Police Department.

The hiker reported finding the body under a rock crevice, located near the peak of the mountain and just a few hundred feet from the tram that transports visitors to the summit. The gruesome find caused the tram to shut down for hours, although it has since reopened.

Bankhead noted that the area where the body was found is not typically visited by hikers. “It’s not in an area where hikers usually go. It’s out of the way. People don’t know it’s there,” he said.

Officials have not yet identified the man or established the cause of death, and it remains unclear when he died. “The body was under an overhang, and rocks were piled up in front, making it very private,” Bankhead described the scene. He added that this incident is “one of the weirdest” he has encountered at the park in his years of service.

David Farmer, a college student who frequently hikes at Stone Mountain, expressed his shock at the discovery. “I’ve never seen anything like that. It’s a little scary, and it’s kind of somber,” he said.

Despite the concerning discovery, officials reassured the public about safety at the park. “It’s very safe. It’s a family-oriented park,” Bankhead stated, noting that such incidents are rare.

The GBI has taken control of the death investigation, while the body has been sent to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy. DeKalb Fire is also looking into the incident as part of an arson investigation. As the case remains active, authorities have asked that anyone with information come forward.