Body Pulled From Lake Confirmed, Missing Man Shot Himself: Police

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the dead person found in Lake Carlton as Alvin Ahmed. DNA from Ahmed’s family was used to confirm his identity. Authorities confirmed the suicide determination through multiple pieces of information in addition to the findings of the Medical Examiner’s Office, police said. Some previously unreleased information was released by the police Wednesday.

Ahmed’s family members were able to obtain data from his phone’s last automatic backup, which was provided to detectives. The phone data contained a note which indicated Ahmed staged certain elements of the case to cast suspicion that he had been murdered. Included in the note were details of a story about an encounter with suspicious persons who asked about his car, watch, and how much money he made. He relayed the same story to family members and coworkers days prior to his disappearance.

According to police, the same note contained the specific list of items he purchased from Publix on the night he went missing and details of how his car was left. Details about how he planned to turn off his watch and phone, discard them at the nearby Atmosphere Bar and Grill, and continue on to Lake Carlton were also included in the same note.

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Ahmed was seen on security video at three different locations on the night he went missing. July 16. The first was at the Publix at about 9:14 p.m., just after Ahmed finished his shift and purchased the specific items from his list. At 10:06 p.m., a person matching Ahmed’s description was seen walking alone on a security camera at Atmosphere Bar and Grill, at 540 Athens Highway, Loganville.

Ahmed’s phone stopped communicating with the cell phone tower covering the area at the same time, indicating it had been turned off, police said. At 10:30 p.m., a person matching Ahmed’s description was seen walking alone toward Lake Carlton on a security camera at a private residence on Lake Carlton Road.

The evidence in this case indicates Ahmed’s death was a suicide, police confirmed. There is no credible evidence that the case was a homicide, they said. Ahmed’s family members are fully informed on the details of the case. The family has asked that the media and public respect their need for privacy at this time.

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According to the CDC, the 12 warning signs of suicide are:

• Feeling like a burden,
• Being isolated,
• Increased anxiety,
• Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain,
• Increased substance use,
• Looking for a way to access lethal means,
• Increased anger or rage,
• Extreme mood swings,
• Expressing hopelessness,
• Sleeping too little or too much,
• Talking or posting about wanting to die, and
• Making plans for suicide

The CDC also highlighted what different groups can do to prevent suicides. The CDC says if you are worried about someone who is thinking of suicide, you can follow these steps:

• Keep them safe. Reduce access to lethal means for those at risk.
• Be there with them. Listen to what they need.
• Help them connect with ongoing support like the Lifeline — (800) 273-8255.
• Follow up to see how they're doing.
• Find out how this can save a life by visiting: www.bethe1to.com/" rel="nofollow">www.bethe1to.com

How To Get Help In Georgia
Georgia Crisis and Access Line: Call 1-800-715-4225 or www.mygcal.com to obtain access to care.
NAMI - Georgia: (770) 234-0855
Mental Health Association of Georgia: (404) 527-7175
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) - Georgia: (770) 843-3836
Cobb County & Douglass County Access Center: (770) 422-0202 (M-F 7am-5pm) A call center for information regarding intake appointments and referrals to mental health services
DEKALB COUNTY: DeKalb Community Service Board, Crisis Access Line (404) 892-4646
FULTON COUNTY: Emergency Mental Health Services (404) 730-1600 or (404) 730-1608 TDD
PAULDING COUNTY: Three Rivers Behavioral Health, 1-800-493-1932
Gwinnett County Suicide Prevention Hotline: (770) 985-2494
VA Mental Health Services: (404) 321-6111 Ext. 7620 (M-F 8am-4:30pm) Atlanta VA Medical Center's mental health help line for veterans
United Way 211: 211
Anyone struggling with mental health can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is available 24 hours a day, at 1-800-273-8255, by visiting this website or by texting HOME to 741741.

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