Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies discovered the body of a man in a homeless camp near Greene Street in Augusta.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was found unresponsive in a wooded area underneath the Calhoun bridge on the 1300 block of Greene Street. Paramedics confirmed the death, and the coroner was called to the scene.
The victim is believed to have been dead for several days, Coroner Mark Bowen said. An autopsy has been scheduled, although foul play is not suspected.
Bowen indicated that cold weather could have played a role in the man’s death, as temperatures had recently dipped into the 20s, leaving the homeless community vulnerable. This tragedy highlights the risks faced by those without shelter during the colder months.
In a separate incident, a homeless woman in Hephzibah set a fire inside a vacant house to stay warm last week. The Jan. 22 fire spread but she managed to escape unharmed and was later charged with arson.
When temperatures drop, Augusta provides warming centers for those in need of shelter. These centers include the Carrie J. Mays Center, Bernie Ward Center, Blythe Center, Henry H. Brigham Center, May Park, McBean Center, Sand Hills Center, W.T. Johnson Center, Warren Road Center, and Diamond Lakes Regional Park. These facilities are available to help keep residents safe during any cold snap.
