Traffic along Gordon Highway in Richmond County ground to a sudden halt Wednesday after deputies discovered a body in a pond near the 1200 block. Eastbound lanes were later reopened, but the immediate scene stayed closed to the public while investigators worked the area.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were on scene in the 1200 block and that the Augusta Fire Department and the Richmond County Coroner’s Office were assisting at the pond, according to WFXG. The sheriff's office told the station the area "will remain closed until further notice" while detectives and crime-scene technicians continued processing the scene.
Who responded
The Augusta Fire Department maintains specialized rescue and EMS teams, including swift-water and technical rescue units that are typically called to water-related incidents, according to Augusta, GA. The Richmond County Coroner’s Office, which investigates sudden or unattended deaths in the county, is based at 912 8th Street and works alongside law enforcement during on-scene examinations, per Augusta, GA.
Traffic and investigation status
Officials restricted traffic through the immediate area while crews worked. WFXG reported that eastbound lanes reopened after the discovery, although investigators remained on site. Authorities have not released the victim's identity or a cause of death as the coroner and sheriff’s detectives continue their work.
What’s next
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to contact investigators, and tips can be reported directly to the sheriff’s office. This story will be updated as authorities release additional details.
