What started as a routine "person down" call along Ponce de Leon Avenue has turned into a homicide investigation, and Atlanta police are now asking the public to help them connect the dots.
In the early hours of Wednesday, officers responded to a report around 2:33 a.m. at 737 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE and found an unresponsive man. Grady EMS arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene. At first, police said there were no signs of foul play.
That changed after detectives took a closer look. According to a release cited by FOX 5 Atlanta, the Atlanta Police Homicide Unit and the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office were called out, and investigators later reclassified the case as a homicide based on additional information gathered while they awaited autopsy results.
So far, police have not released the victim's identity or how he was killed.
Clues: A Couple on Camera and a Red Sedan
Investigators have shared surveillance images of two people they want to identify: a man with dreadlocks and a woman who were seen near the area. They are also looking for a red four-door sedan with a sunroof, which was reportedly near the scene and may have minor damage.
Detectives say they believe the driver of that car may have information that could help move the investigation forward.
How to Help
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the couple, the car, or its driver to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477), visiting Crime Stoppers, or texting CSGA to 738477. Anonymous tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
The Atlanta Police Homicide Unit is also urging residents and nearby businesses to check any surveillance or dashcam footage from the early-morning hours around the time of the incident.
What Police Are Still Keeping Quiet
Authorities have not released the victim's name or confirmed how he died, and key details of the case remain under wraps, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. For now, detectives are banking on tips about the mystery couple and the red sedan to help fill in the blanks.
