COOK COUNTY, GA (WALB) -
Cook County Sheriff's investigators have identified the body of a man who was found dead near a Cecil motel this morning.
Investigators say the man took his own life in a parking lot.
Around 7 a.m. this morning a passerby on Old Coffee Road found a man dead under a abandoned gas station on the Family World Motel and Citgo gas station property.
Cook County Sheriff's investigators have identified the man as 69-year-old Carroll Cowart of Adel. Investigators say he died from a self inflicted gun shot wound to his chest.
"We'll be looking into his background; they'll be going through his last days, find out what he was doing, how he was acting, if there was any emotional problems, if he had any setbacks," said Major Jim Hill, Cook Co. Sheriff's Office.
Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol was involved and have not yet determined a motive.
And what's so tragic about the discovery of this man's body, is it was in such a public place. Just off of I-75 where hundreds of people drive by everyday and many of them stop right here to get gas.
Gas station customer, Leroy Aikens said, "It's very sad because kids can see it and people who are going through things can see and it think that that's the way to go, but it's not the way to go."
In Major Hill's 46-year law enforcement career, he has seen multiple other suicides in public areas. "They don't want to make a mess in their vehicle, or in their house. I wouldn't say it's the most common thing but it's not uncommon for people to do it outside."
Investigators say Cowart was found next to his truck, his gun, and his wallet.
Cowart's body was taken to the GBI crime lab in Macon for an autopsy to help wrap up the investigation.
Copyright 2013 WALB. All rights reserved.
Authorities say an Adel man killed himself at the Family World Motel at the Cecil Exit of I-75. The Cook County Sheriff's Office responded to the call at 7:00AM Wednesday morning.
Authorities say the 69-year-old white man died of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. The gun was beside the body. His wallet and money were found intact.
He shot himself in the parking lot, and investigators believe that there was no foul play.
His pickup truck was parked nearby in the parking lot, and it has been removed.
His name is withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Copyright 2013 WALB. All rights reserved.
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