Another vacant house, another dead body

Another blighted house, another dead body.

This time, the victim is David Abbasi, 32, a real estate agent who was interested in buying the vacant Howell Station property in northwest Atlanta, according to a report on Channel 2 Action News. He had been shot.

Blighted and vacant properties remain a serious safety concern here in Atlanta, despite efforts by city code enforcement to condemn, board up and demolish more of these homes. Certain blocks just west of downtown are lined with derelict properties, many owned by speculators who have no intention of fixing them up. Homeless camp inside, setting fires to keep warm; prostitutes conduct business; addicts shoot up; rats move in; and children who in neighboring homes get to watch.

Residents in the historic district say they had called code enforcement on the home, which had been left partially renovated for about a year, according to Channel 2 Action News. They wanted it demolished or boarded up.

Abbasi was found dead there on Friday, after neighbors reported hearing shots fired. When a news reporter arrived Monday, the front door was wide open.

Fulton County property records list the owner as a limited liability corporation in the northern suburbs. It was last purchased in March 2o15 for $37,500 and was listed for sale for $250,000.

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