News
News

Body found in pond at Gwinnett apartment ID’d

Police are working to find out how a body ended up in a pond outside an apartment complex in Gwinnett County.
By Steve Burns
Feb 27, 2018

Authorities have identified the body of a man that was found in a pond at a Gwinnett County apartment complex.

Derek Oxford, 34, of Lawrenceville, was reported missing by his girlfriend Friday, police spokesman Jay Brewer said Tuesday morning in a news release.

Oxford did not return home after taking a walk Feb. 16.

MORE: Decomposing body found in pond at Gwinnett apartment

“In the original report,” Brewer said, “Oxford’s girlfriend stated he was intoxicated and sitting on the front porch when she arrived home from work.”

Officers responded Saturday after a resident called 911 from the Durant at Sugarloaf Apartments on St. Marlowe Drive in Lawrenceville.

Police said at the time there were no signs of obvious trauma or foul play.

MORE: Atlanta crime news

About the Author

Steve Burns
More Stories

Keep Reading

One reader is asking the AJC to help her find cottage cheese made by Mayfield. (Ihar Balaikin/Dreamstime/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Where can I find it?

AJC readers are looking for help finding actual toothpaste (not gel) and Mayfield cottage cheese.

Robert Banks, longtime film, TV actor, dies

Robert Banks, longtime film, TV actor dies

Teamsters trash collectors in Alpharetta area end months-long strike

A labor contract struck in Georgia is the final deal to end strikes by local Teamsters unions that started in July at several Republic Services locations across the country.

The Latest

ajc.com

Credit: AJC

A.M. ATL: Contingency plans

Sweet Tea: How andouille do?

High school scoreboard: Friday night’s football action around the state

Featured

A TSA officer checks the identification of travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Oct. 01, 2025 (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Atlanta airport sees TSA staffing shortages amid shutdown

Hartsfield-Jackson recommends travelers allow extra time for security screening amid the government shutdown.

Geoff Duncan’s Democratic gamble in Georgia tests party loyalty

Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan’s biggest challenge might not be money or organization, but trust. Once a Republican, he's now running as a Democrat.

Hulu tackles Murdaugh murders with big-budget series shot in Atlanta

Hulu’s “Murdaugh: Death in the Family,” shot in metro Atlanta, stars Jason Clarke and Patricia Arquette in a drama based on the downfall of a powerful South Carolina family.