Mayor Reed: ‘robust investigation' promised after man found hanging in Piedmont Park

ATLANTA - Piedmont Park, for many, is a center of peace and tranquility which for some has been overshadowed by questions surrounding the discovery of a man found hanged in the park.

“One of my friends on Facebook was like what do you all think of somebody being hung, I didn't know exactly what happened,” said park visitor Tamara Harp.

Atlanta Police said two park security guards found the body of a black man, mid-20's to mid-30's, hanged from a rope from a tree near the Charles Allen entrance around five Thursday morning. Investigators said there was no discernible signs of a struggle or foul play and that the scene was consistent with a suicide.

“He could have been going through a tough time, you know where, he came from does he even live here, those kind of questions,” said park visitor Taylor Robinson.

Those unanswered questions and others, especially doubts about the investigation on social media, have Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed leaving no investigative stone unturned.

Mayor Kasim Reed released a statement Thursday afternoon which reads:

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of a young man’s life last night in Piedmont Park. This disturbing event demands our full attention. The Atlanta Police Department (APD) is conducting a robust investigation into his death and I have asked to receive regular briefings on the status of the investigation. We have also referred the case to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Everything we have seen suggests that there was no foul play involved, but I want to state clearly and unequivocally that we will not prejudge the circumstances surrounding this young man's death. APD will share all evidence discovered in the course of the investigation. We ask for the public’s support and cooperation as we work to resolve this matter."

Park visitor Dario Manley hopes police find the answers in the physical evidence.

“If they have the rope, if they're able to extract fingerprints from the rope or whatever was used.it's difficult and it's so many things going on,” said Manley.

Mayor Kasim Reed said APD is conducting a quote "robust investigation", adding the case has been referred to the FBI. It's a case where many will want clear concise answers about the man found hanged in the park.

“To his family, I apologize, and I pray to God to lift you guys up and I'm going to be praying for them,” said Tamara Harp.

The name of the man who was found hang had not been released by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office as of late Thursday because his family had not been told.