Body Of Missing Man Found Inside Submerged Car At Lake Lanier

CUMMING, GA — Authorities on Tuesday said a man missing from Roswell was found dead in a submerged vehicle in Lake Lanier.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said they recovered the vehicle Monday morning near Tidwell Park.

Authorities were first alerted to the lake around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, when they received a call from boater who found the red car submerged near the boat ramp, they said.

Investigators with the department's Marine Unit responded and identified the car as a Toyota Camry belonging to Phillip Malone, 85, of North Carolina.

Roswell Police confirmed Malone was reported missing after being last seen on Saturday, Valentine's Day, authorities said. Malone was in town visiting family at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta and was reported missing the next day, authorities said.

Malone, who was fully clothed, was found dead inside the Camry, authorities said. There were no signs of trauma, and the car did not have any apparent damage, authorities said.

“This was a coordinated response involving multiple agencies, and we appreciate the assistance of our local partners,” Forsyth County Sheriff Freeman said in a news release. “Our thoughts are with the family as we continue to work towards answers.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct an autopsy later this week to determine the official cause of death.

Lake Lanier goes through Buford, Cumming and Gainesville.