Iron worker strangling baffles police

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The investigation into an iron worker's strangling death is moving "extremely slowly," Atlanta police Detective A.C. Smith said Wednesday.

Wayne Bolan, 43, was found Saturday morning, Oct. 10, in the back seat of a Jeep backed into a parking spot at Oakland City Park in southwest Atlanta.  He was last seen alive 18 miles away on South Cobb Drive -- cashing a paycheck at 3 p.m. the day before.

Where Bolan went after cashing his check, and what he was doing at the park remain a mystery. No wallet was found on Bolan. He had just cashed a $600 check and was wearing his work clothes.

An 8-year member of Local 387, Bolan had finished a job at the Georgia Aquarium's dolphin exhibit expansion and was supposed to start work on another project that Monday, Smith said.

Smith believes it was not a random killing. But he said no motive has been established.

Bolan lived in Dallas, Ga., with his girlfriend and their baby daughter. The silver Jeep Liberty in which he was found was a vehicle Bolan shared with his girlfriend, Smith said.

Smith declined to say whether Bolan's cellphone was found on him. Toxicology reports are not ready, Smith said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Smith at 404-546-5629 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.