Atlanta, GA
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.
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.
“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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Pro Bowl selections and their alternates were released on Thursday. The Atlanta Falcons were well represented by Chris Lindstrom and KhaDarel Hodge as nominations along with eight alternates.
One of the most egregious omissions from the alternate list was third-year wide receiver Drake London.
Only Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, and Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown finished better in all three major receiving categories (catches, yards, touchdowns) than London through 16 regular season games.
His 90 catches are eighth among wide receivers and his 1,084 yards puts him ninth, and his seven touchdowns puts him in a tie for 13th. London battled quarterback inconsistency his first two years in the league, and 2024 was no different for the 23-year-old.
When fellow wide receiver Darnell Mooney inevitably gets one reception Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers, he and London will be the first duo in the NFL this season to eclipse 1,000 yards each. Both having done so while managing a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, and two new quarterbacks.
The four NFC receivers who got Pro Bowl bids – Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Terry McLaurin have valid credentials.
The list of alternates includes Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), Malik Nabers (Giants), and AJ Brown (Eagles).
Smith-Njigba edges London on catches and yards, but London has him on touchdowns. Same goes for Nabers. It’s hard to argue against the numbers Brown has put up despite missing three games at the beginning of the year.
Evans might be getting the veteran nod on this one. London has him beat in receptions and yards, Evans got the Pro Bowl nod.
London is clearly having his best season of his young career. One that’s worthy of some Pro Bowl recognition. If he continues putting up numbers, and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to think he won’t keep improving, the recognition will come.
Opposing defenses know exactly who Drake London is.
ATLANTA – Atlanta firefighters responded to a fire early Thursday morning in the 2300 block of St. James Drive NW near Hollywood Road NW in northwest Atlanta.
The fire began around 3 a.m. According to a spokesperson for the fire department, everyone was able to exit the house safely and there were no injuries to the residents.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
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