A Milledgeville man’s death Sunday morning in Eatonton is being investigated by authorities to confirm the manner of death.
Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell said Stephen Beadles, age 31, was found dead in his car, which was parked on the southbound side of the road on the U.S. Hwy. 441 bypass near the turnoff to Walmart.
Officer Christopher Detweiler was on routine patrol when he noticed the man inside the vehicle parked on the side of the road around 8:15 a.m. Sunday.
Beadles is believed to have died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and was holding the gun in his hands, Cardwell said.
He noted an autopsy is being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab to determine the exact cause of death.
Cardwell said he located the victim’s family in Baldwin County and Beadles’ father came and positively identified him.