ATLANTA – Investigators are searching for answers after officers discovered a body in a creek at Morningside Nature Preserve in northeast Atlanta Friday afternoon.

Atlanta police say the grim discovery was made near Wildwood Road. Police and homicide investigators quickly fanned out over the area, with crews scouring the ground and water for clues to determine what happened.

Teams from the Atlanta Police Department’s homicide unit and the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office were on the scene as the investigation unfolded. Police have not yet released the victim’s name or given details of how they died.

Nearby residents expressed shock and disbelief when they learned of the incident.

“I was very shocked to hear about it,” said Jackson Tobias, who lives in the area. “This park is usually a very, very quiet and protective place.”

Phoebe Clayton, another neighbor, echoed the sentiment. “I’m definitely very surprised and saddened to hear about it,” she said.

Robert Rude, who also lives nearby, called the situation “extremely surprising.” He added, “I would never expect to see anything like that or hear about it.”

The investigation continues as police work to uncover the identity of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. For now, residents are still concerned about the discovery in what is usually considered a peaceful city park.