Woman found dead near playground was shot on hiking trail, police say

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating after a woman, possibly in her late teens or early 20s, was found dead in the woods in Stone Mountain on Wednesday afternoon.

According to DeKalb County police, investigators were called to the 900 block of Lake Drive Court.

Police said two hikers made the call after they discovered the body near the Main Street Playground. Officers believe the woman was shot on the trail.

Video from NewsChopper 2 showed nearly a dozen police cruisers at the scene.

"It's stunning. It's shocking. It's very shocking," Herman Wilson said.

The father of three has more questions than answers Wednesday night after coming home to find a crime scene.

"Another unnecessary life just got lost. Another family suffering from what I call -- it is darkness, death," Wilson said.

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"Right now, we're telling the residents if they've heard or seen anything to please call the DeKalb County Police Department," Sgt. Jacques Spencer said.

For several hours, investigators searched for clues, canvassing the wooded area for evidence and taking photos. Dwindling daylight was only one of the challenges Wednesday evening.

"It's kind of an isolated area, so we're going to have to search for witnesses to this incident," Spencer said.

As for parents like Wilson, he fears crimes like this happen far too often, and he wants to see more security in the area.

"We need security over there, like, immediately. Like more lighting and stuff. We need that over there," Wilson said.

If you have any information, you are urged to contact the DeKalb County Police Department.

Cox Media Group