Suspected migrant worker drowns in Turner County

SYCAMORE — A man believed to be from Colquitt County drowned Sunday afternoon in a pond on the edge of Sycamore in Turner County

Deputy Coroner Jim Lumpkin said the body has tentatively been identified. The victim is known by two names: Alex Rivera, born Jan. 26, 1997, and Domingo Velasquez Perez, who has a May 1, 1988 birthdate.

“We believe his name is Alex Rivera, but he is also known as Domingo,” Lumpkin said. “We do not know which is correct. We need help determining who he is so we can notify the next of kin.”

Anyone with additional information on individuals who’ve gone by either of these names is encouraged to call the Turner County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 567-2401 or the county coroner’s office at (299) 567-3366.

Officials said they believe the drowning victim had previously been arrested in Florida. Officials say they believe he has a father and a sister living in Florida.

The man had no identification on him when his body was discovered, nor was there any in the vehicle he was in. As best the authorities know, the man was a migrant worker from Colquitt County. He came to Turner County to visit people he knew. At some point he entered the pond behind a car dealership at the edge of Sycamore.

“He went under and did not surface,” Lumpkin said.

The 911 dispatch center received a call at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, and the body was recovered around 6:40 p.m. Lumpkin said the coroner’s office is talking with the state crime lab about an autopsy, but nothing has been scheduled thus far.

Foul play is not suspected.

“DNR was called in to assist with the search and recovery,” Lumpkin said.