It appeared at first as though Alvin Ahmed had been taken against his will. The 25-year-old pharmacy intern was weeks away from starting a career he’d worked so hard for when he disappeared.
But Gwinnett County investigators feel so certain Ahmed killed himself, they publicly released additional details about the suicide — information typically given only to the family.
“We did a thorough investigation, all hands on deck,” Cpl. Wilbert Rundles told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “When the evidence adds up, you can’t make it something it’s not.”
For some, the investigation findings only raise doubts. Skeptics doubted that Ahmed took his own life and went on social media to voice their opinions.
Earlier stories:
Police: Pharmacy intern staged suicide to seem like murder
Man pulled from Gwinnett lake was a suicide, police say
“Someone killed this kid. Period,” one person posted on The AJC Facebook page where more than 300 people had commented.
The evidence doesn’t indicate any foul play, according to police. Instead, police believe Ahmed may have tried to leave clues that made his death appear to be a homicide. A note found in a cell phone app indicates he had planned some details.
Investigators believe Ahmed shot and killed himself, though he left no note for his family or indication why.
After police confirmed the identity of the body on Wednesday, Alvin Ahmed’s brother, Kalvin Ahmed, told the AJC that he didn’t believe the circumstances surrounding the suicide are as clear cut as police officials said. “I wish it were so that we could have closure. But there are still questions.”
Ahmed was last seen July 16 after leaving the Loganville Publix where he worked as a pharmacy intern. After working his shift, Ahmed had purchased a few groceries to take to his mother, according to his family, but he never made it home. His car, with the groceries and white pharmacy coat inside, was in the grocery store parking lot.
His family initially believed he was abducted. Ahmed had mentioned to family members and co-workers an encounter outside the Publix with young men who asked about his watch and car while demanding to know how much money he made. Inside his car, it looked as though there may have been a struggle.
Credit: WSB-TV WSB-TV
Credit: WSB-TV WSB-TV
Two days after Ahmed was last seen, a woman called police to report seeing something in Lake Carlton. Firefighters and police determined it was a body that had been shot in the head, but couldn’t confirm it was Ahmed because dental records weren’t available. Medical examiners instead used DNA testing to confirm the body was his.
“It’s difficult to come to grips with,” Rundles said. “We can’t allow personal emotions to play into it.”
Investigators determined the gun used had been purchased by Ahmed in May, but the weapon has not been located.
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Police also said Ahmed was seen on security video at three different locations the night he went missing, including Publix at about 9:14 p.m. At 10:06 p.m., a person appearing to be Ahmed was seen walking alone on a security camera at Atmosphere Bar and Grill. Ahmed’s phone stopped communicating with the cell phone tower covering the area at the same time, indicating it had been turned off.
At 10:30 p.m., a private home security camera recorded a person that appeared to be Ahmed walking alone toward Lake Carlton, police said.
The service for Ahmed will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Georgia Islamic Institute in Lawrenceville followed by a graveside service at the Muslim Cemetery, also in Lawrenceville. Ahmed will be buried beside his father, his family said.
“Alvin had friends and loved ones from all walks of life,” Kalvin Ahmed, posted on Facebook. “Please, no matter what your race, religion, or relation to our family, if you would like to pray or lend support for my brother and his safe passing, I personally want you to come.”
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