Iron worker found strangled in Atlanta park

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The man found strangled in a Jeep Liberty on Saturday was a 43-year-old iron worker who had worked on the  dolphin exhibit expansion at the Georgia Aquarium.

Wayne D. Bolan of Dallas, Ga., was found by sanitation workers at Oakland City Park in southwest Atlanta. He was pronounced dead shortly before 1 p.m. The Jeep belongs to the victim's girlfriend, police told WSB-TV.

Bolan joined Iron Workers Local 387 in 2001. He helped build Atlantic Station and most recently worked on the massive aquarium project.

Members of Local 387 are in shock, business manager Eddie Albritton said.

"He was a good guy, a hard worker, a very good and well-rounded iron worker," Albritton said. "He was a good welder, a good structural man. If you needed him about any place on the job, you could put him there."

Albritton said Bolan's death "just tells you how rough this town can be."

Union members will do everything they can to help Bolan's family, Albritton said.

"We take care of our own here," he said. "There will be a big collection of money to give to the family."

Police have made no arrests, and have not released possible motives in the case.