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.
Atlanta, GA
1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
Editor’s note: The video above is from an earlier report.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A teenage girl was killed and another was injured in a shooting at Piedmont Park on Saturday night, according to Atlanta police.
The shooting prompted a large police response to the Midtown Atlanta park around 9 p.m., soon after a festival there celebrating the city’s 404 Day, which drew thousands of people, wrapped up.
Upon arrival, officers located two girls with gunshot wounds.
Paramedics pronounced one victim, a 16-year-old, dead at the scene. Her identity has not been released.
The second victim, a 15-year-old, was alert, conscious and breathing, and was taken to the hospital, police said.
Soon after the incident, a witness told Atlanta News First that hundreds of people took off running after dozens of shots were fired.
Police said the park’s permitted 404 Day festival concluded around 7:45 p.m.
“At this time, there is no information indicating that the shooting is connected to that event,” police said.
Instead, the department’s “preliminary investigation indicates the incident stemmed from an unpermitted gathering that occurred near the far west end of the park,” the opposite side of the park from where the festival was being held, police said.
Earlier, a witness told Atlanta News First there was also a “teen takeover” event in the park Saturday night.
Officers were seen gathered around Lake Clara Meer in the heart of the park.
Police shut down surrounding streets, and video captured an ambulance at 12th Street NE and Piedmont Avenue, at the southwest corner of the park.
Police have not announced suspects.
This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Driver dies after head-on crash with MARTA bus in NW Atlanta
A driver died on April 4, 2026, after colliding head-on with a MARTA bus in northwest Atlanta. (FOX 5)
ATLANTA – A Jeep driver died in the hospital Saturday morning after their SUV crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a MARTA bus in northwest Atlanta.
What we know:
Atlanta police responded to the crash around 8:14 a.m. near 266 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive NW.
When they arrived, they discovered a MARTA bus, and a Jeep Patriot had collided head-on.
The driver of the Jeep Patriot was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and later died from their injuries.
No one on the bus was reportedly injured, police said,
Investigators said that the Jeep Patriot had crossed into the opposing travel lane when it crashed into the MARTA bus.
An investigation is ongoing.
What we don’t know:
Authorities have not yet released the name of the driver who died.
It also remains unclear why the Jeep traveled into the opposing lane of traffic before the impact.
The Source: Information in this report comes from the Atlanta Police Department.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta gears up for 404 Day 2026
Atlanta is set to celebrate its rich culture and global influence this Saturday with a massive lineup of 404 Day events, including a downtown parade, a 5K run, and a music festival at Piedmont Park.
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