Death of Widespread Panic equipment manager ruled suicide

Widespread Panic’s longtime equipment manager’s death has been ruled a suicide, not homicide as a medical examiner initially thought, the Athens Banner-Herald is reporting.

Donald Garrie Vereen, 49, died from a knife wound to his chest. He was found inside his Athens home.

Chief State Medical Examiner Kris Sperry originally ruled the death a homicide – but called police Monday morning to say that the Feb. 16 death was a suicide, Athens-Clarke police Capt. Holeman told the Banner-Herald.

Athens-Clarke police uncovered additional evidence that made Sperry reconsider his preliminary finding, the Banner-Herald said.

Vereen was equipment manager for the popular Southern jam band for two decades.

About the Author

Kristi E Swartz

North Georgia officer shot in line of duty to be released from hospital

Capt. Brantley Worley remains in critical condition after incident in McCaysville, which is near the Georgia-Tennessee border.

Women learn construction in Athens jail. Outside, the job hunt is tough.

An Athens jail program teaches female inmates construction skills. The jury is still out on how much the program boosts job prospects.

Could world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship become a Georgia museum?

The NS Savannah, the world's first nuclear-powered merchant ship built in the 1950s, could become the Georgia port city's newest tourist attraction.

The Latest

Credit: AP

Falcons' rookies shine in dominant defensive win over Vikings

North Georgia officer shot in line of duty to be released from hospital

Women learn construction in Athens jail. Outside, the job hunt is tough.

Featured

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.