Atlanta, GA

Atlanta man dies abroad in Panama, family struggles to bring his body home

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

Atlanta man dies abroad in Panama, family struggles to bring his body home

Marietta man dies on vacation to Panama

A metro Atlanta family is trying desperately to bring their loved one back home after he died while on vacation in Panama.

MARIETTA, Ga. – A metro Atlanta man died while on vacation in Panama almost three weeks ago. His family has been trying desperately to get his body home to Georgia ever since.

“It’s super frustrating because we just want to get him home,” said Christy Smith, a cousin of Adrian Bennett.

50-year-old Adrian Bennett was known as the fun-loving one with all the jokes. He was an all-around good guy, according to those who knew him best. His family told FOX 5 that Bennett grew up in Marietta and had worked for FedEx for more than 20 years.

Adrian Bennett (Photo submitted by family)

On Feb. 17, he went on vacation to Panama. He was supposed to fly home on Feb. 23, but instead, his best friend received a phone call with tragic news.

“According to what they say, he fell from a balcony which was about 12-feet high and supposedly hit his head and succumbed from that,” said Carlos Smith.

Initially, family and friends didn’t know who picked up the body or where they took him.

“It’s been a long process, and it’s like we’re at a standstill, and we’re not getting any answers,” said Paula Redman, a family member.

After numerous phone calls, they finally found the morgue, but the morgue needed proof they were relatives.

The closest Consulate for Panama is in Tampa, Florida, so a relative there collected all the documents.

“We took all these papers, his birth certificate, his sister’s birth certificate, their ID’s, a copy of his passport,” said Christy Smith.

She was told copies wouldn’t work, they needed the originals.

“We’re running into walls everywhere we turn,” said Deedra Watts, a cousin.

Now, they’re fighting against the clock.

“We were told if he’s not back in 30 days, that Panama can do pretty much what they want to with his remains,” said Watts.

They’ve asked everyone they can think of for help.

Adrian Bennett (Photo submitted by family)

“I personally went and contacted the FBI, I’ve contacted the state department, Sen. Warnock, Sen. Ossoff, Congressman David Scott. We’re never going to give up until we actually get him back home,” said Carlos Scott.

“It’s just a lot of people that want to see him get home, so we can have a proper homegoing service for him,” said Smith.

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Atlanta, GA

Braves make another addition to 'pen, reuniting with Kinley

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Braves make another addition to 'pen, reuniting with Kinley

ATLANTA — The Braves’ decision to decline Tyler Kinley’s $5.5 million option in November proved to be a sound financial decision.
Kinley reunited with the Braves on Saturday when he agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million deal. The right-handed reliever will draw a $3 million salary in 2026; his $5.5

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Atlanta, GA

Golden State takes home win streak into matchup with Atlanta

Published

14 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Golden State takes home win streak into matchup with Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks (19-21, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (21-18, eighth in the Western Conference)

San Francisco; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Golden State will try to keep its three-game home win streak alive when the Warriors face Atlanta.

The Warriors are 13-5 on their home court. Golden State is 9-12 against opponents over .500.

The Hawks have gone 12-10 away from home. Atlanta ranks second in the league scoring 17.6 fast break points per game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads the Hawks averaging 3.9.

The Warriors average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.8 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Hawks give up. The Hawks average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Warriors allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jimmy Butler III is averaging 19.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Warriors. Stephen Curry is averaging 25.7 points and 5.1 assists over the past 10 games.

Onyeka Okongwu is averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Hawks. Jalen Johnson is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 7-3, averaging 120.1 points, 42.5 rebounds, 30.4 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points per game.

Hawks: 4-6, averaging 116.9 points, 42.4 rebounds, 31.9 assists, 10.1 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points.

INJURIES: Warriors: Seth Curry: out (thigh).

Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis: out (achilles), Zaccharie Risacher: out (knee), CJ McCollum: out (quad), N’Faly Dante: out for season (knee), Corey Kispert: out (hamstring).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Atlanta, GA

Flood watch expands into metro Atlanta ahead of severe storm threat

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Flood watch expands into metro Atlanta ahead of severe storm threat

Friday evening forecast: Rain train en route

A powerful weather system is currently moving through North Georgia, replacing unseasonable record warmth with heavy rain and potential severe storms. The FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking a “rain train” of moisture that could dump over 4 inches of rain in some areas, prompting active flood warnings across the region.

ATLANTA – A powerful weather front is moving into metro Atlanta, prompting officials to expand flood watches as “wave-after-wave” of heavy rain threatens to saturate the region through Saturday.

The FOX 5 Storm Team warn that storm totals could reach four inches in some areas, with isolated spots in North Georgia potentially seeing up to six inches.

Flood Watch in northwest Georgia

What we know:

A Flood Watch is currently in effect through Saturday evening for a large portion of North Georgia. The region is bracing for widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches. Some areas could see locally higher amounts reaching up to 6 inches before a cold front moves through Saturday afternoon to end the threat.

“The rain train is wide open and here it comes,” said FOX 5 Storm Team chief meteorologist David Chandley. “We got waves of rain tonight and storms. They’re going to be with us tonight and right on through Saturday.”

In the northwest, the watch includes Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield counties.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST BY DOWNLOADING THE FREE FOX 5 STORM TEAM APP AND FOLLOWING @FOX5STORMTEAM ON X

Flooding risk, high winds

Local perspective:

Thunderstorms expected overnight and into early Saturday morning are a primary concern.

The primary concern for North Georgia remains damaging winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding. While the threat of severe weather is lower Friday night, the FOX 5 Storm Team expects conditions to change as the front arrives Saturday morning.

“Flooding [is] possible in Northwest Georgia with that severe threat,” Chandley said. “I expect we may see some of those [flash flood warnings] across North Georgia late tonight and early tomorrow because that ground is going to be saturated.”

A Level 1 “marginal risk” for severe storms has been issued for most of the area, though regions near Columbus face a slightly higher “slight risk.” Forecasters noted that while the atmosphere currently lacks the instability for massive thunderstorms, a “brief, spin-up tornado” cannot be ruled out on Saturday.

What’s next:

Sunday: Windy and much colder, with highs struggling to reach the 40s and 50s.

Monday: Temperatures are expected to plummet into the 20s by Monday morning.

The Source: This article contains an original forecast by the FOX 5 Storm Team.

Severe WeatherNewsAtlantaGeorgia

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