A routine leak check at an empty Cobb County Kroger turned into a crime scene Thursday morning when a maintenance worker discovered a man's body inside the closed store, police said.
The worker went into the vacant building just after 10 a.m. to check on a possible water leak and found the body instead. Cobb County police responded and have not yet released the man's name or a cause of death while detectives secure the scene and notify next of kin.
Investigators are treating the death as suspicious. The grocery store has been vacant since 2024, according to WSB‑TV. Anyone with information is asked to call Cobb County police at 770‑499‑3945.
Police Ask For Tips
Cobb County's Crimes Against Persons unit is leading the investigation and collecting evidence inside the building and around the property. Officers have asked people to steer clear of the area while they work.
Officials say they will release more details as they confirm them, including how long the body may have been inside the store and whether there are any suspects.
Vacant Buildings And State Law
Vacant commercial properties often draw trespassers and other safety problems, a concern that has been gaining traction with lawmakers. Georgia legislators passed the Georgia Squatter Reform Act in April 2024, changing how certain squatting behavior is classified and speeding up legal options for property owners, according to the Office of the Governor.
National coverage has tracked the broader surge in attention to squatting and related policy moves across several states, including Georgia, as reported by The Washington Post.
Anyone with tips about Thursday's discovery inside the vacant Kroger is urged to call Cobb County police at 770‑499‑3945. We will update this story as detectives share more information.
