Two paddlers on the Chattahoochee River found a body Monday afternoon in north Fulton County.

The kayakers called the park service, which notified Johns Creek police and firefighters.

The body was pulled from the water in the area of McGinnis Ferry, according to Jeff Hogan, Johns Creek fire chief.

Investigators believe the body is that of a black male, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. It was not immediately known if foul play was involved or if anyone had been reported missing in the area.

Clint Miller, of Suwanee, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he and a friend had been paddling for about 10 minutes when they spotted what they first believed was an animal. The two are involved in a river clean-up group and were at the river to look for potential areas for future outings, Miller said.

After spotting the body in the water, the two men paddled over for a closer look, Miller said.

“You could tell it had been in the river for a while,” Miller said.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy on the body. Gwinnett County firefighters also assisted with the search efforts Monday afternoon.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Lead Nurse Practitioner Lori Reed examines a Covid patient at Piedmont Pulmonary Covid Recovery Clinic in Atlanta in 2022. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mostly attributed the nationwide rise in life expectancy to fewer deaths caused by the infectious disease. (Steve Schaefer/AJC file)

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez