Austell police are investigating the murder of a 28-year-old man found dead in his home Friday morning.
The mother of Jeremy McClendon’s 5-year-old daughter found him dead in his house on the 2800 block of Millstone Court after trying unsuccessfully to reach him for two days.
The daughter was at the home when her mother arrived, police said. Austell police did not release additional details about the investigation Friday evening.
An autopsy will be performed by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to Bob Starrett, chief of Austell police.
Neighbor Tammy Carroll said McClendon, 28, has worked as a landscaper and a truck driver. Carroll said her husband, Jimmy Foster, was a good friend of McClendon’s, and the two last saw each other Wednesday evening.
As she wiped away tears, Carroll said McClendon grew up on the street and attended South Cobb High School, where he graduated in 2000. During his senior year of high school, McClendon started at guard for the football team.
“We just want to know something,” Carroll said. “I can’t believe nobody heard nothing or seen nothing.”
Carroll said the neighborhood is a quiet one where neighbors all know each other. She said McClendon was a devoted father who could often be seen holding a rope attached to his daughter’s tricycle.
“He wanted to keep her close,” Carroll said.
Family and neighbors waited a few houses away for additional details throughout the afternoon Friday. McClendon’s body was removed from the home shortly after 5 p.m.
“I hope whoever did it that’s out there knows what he just did,” Carroll said.
