Drowning Victim Identified, Results of Autopsy Due Tuesday

The Department of Natural Resources have identified the man who drowned in Lake Lanier Saturday as Ciro Jimenez Beltron, 37, of Forest Park.

Beltron went missing Saturday following a baptism at Buford Lake Park. He was allegedly last seen wading in the water at about 6 p.m. After a two-day search by several agencies, the victim’s body was located in the water Monday morning by .

WSB TV in Atlanta reported that family members of Beltron are questioning the circumstances surrounding the drowning. He is reported to have been in the water with a church group for a baptism. According to the official report by the DNR, Beltron was unable to swim.

Lt. Eric Eberly, public information officer for GCFES, said from what they were told at the scene the baptism had been earlier that evening and the service was over by the time Beltron went missing.

“They were just hanging around enjoying the remainder of the day playing in the water at the beach area of the park,” Eberly said.

Ted Bailey, chief forensic examiner with the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s office, said an autopsy should be completed by Monday afternoon and details regarding the official identity and cause of death would then be released.