A routine afternoon at a busy Smyrna Kroger turned unsettling Monday when a body was discovered inside an SUV in the shopping plaza’s parking lot on South Cobb Drive. Officers quickly roped off part of the lot with crime-scene tape as investigators focused on the vehicle and nearby spaces. Kroger called the discovery “tragic” and said it is supporting Smyrna police as they continue their work.
Officials Respond
Smyrna investigators arrived at the shopping center as the investigation got underway, and a reporter and photographer from WSB-TV were headed to the scene. In a statement to the station, Kroger described the situation as “tragic” and said it was cooperating with the Smyrna Police Department, while referring all questions to law enforcement. The company did not share any additional information about the person found in the SUV.
Scene Details From Aerial Footage
SkyFOX aerial video showed officers centering their investigation around a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, with crime-scene tape wrapped around the SUV, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Authorities have not released the person’s identity or determined a cause of death. Investigators remained on scene, processing the vehicle and speaking with possible witnesses as the afternoon wore on.
Context and Next Steps
The discovery adds to a run of high-profile parking-lot incidents in the metro area. In March, a man was shot in the parking lot of a Brookhaven Kroger, prompting a police search and an arrest, according to WSB-TV. For now, Smyrna police are keeping details close, and have not said whether they suspect foul play. Local reporters say they plan to update coverage as investigators release more information.
