New father placed on ventilator after attack at Roswell park walking trail

Police are asking for the public’s help as they investigate a suspected assault at the Roswell Area Park this week that rendered a victim unconscious and unable to tell investigators what happened to him.

The victim, identified by his family as 40-year-old Matt Donald, was placed on a ventilator following the attack that left him bloodied Tuesday night on a walking trail. Officers were called to the city park on Woodstock Road around 9:30 p.m. when he was spotted by another walker, Roswell police said.

Authorities did not provide further details about the nature of the man’s injuries but said they were severe enough that he has not been able to tell them what happened. His father, Dean Donald, told Channel 2 Action News it appears he was attacked with rocks.

Matt Donald, an avid walker who is married and has a 7-month-old son, remains in the hospital on a ventilator, unable to speak, the news station reported.

One strange detail of the incident stuck out to Donald’s father, who told Channel 2 that when his son was found, his new red Nike shoes had been removed and were placed neatly beside him as he lay unconscious. Nothing was stolen, he said.

“He has no enemies,” the father said. “He’s just very friendly, an outgoing person.”

Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen the man Tuesday night or could have any information about this incident to contact the Roswell Police Department. Donald was wearing the red Nikes, gray sweatpants, and a blue hooded sweatshirt when he was found, police said.

Detectives are especially interested in information from anyone on the trails or in the parking lot near the multi-sport fields between 8 and 9:30 p.m. who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Blaser at 770-640-4584 or eblaser@roswellgov.com.

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