Owen Jackson, 31, was found dead from a gunshot wound inside his car at the bottom of a steep embankment in South Bend Park in Atlanta on the afternoon of Friday, March 24, 2023. Jackson, a mechanic originally from Detroit, was a new father; his infant daughter was three months old at the time. Friends said he had gone to the park intending to sell the car to help provide for his family.

Police described the discovery as the start of an active homicide investigation; officers and investigators spent hours at the scene and tow operators returned the next day to recover the vehicle because of the difficult location. Some who knew Jackson suspect a robbery that escalated, but law enforcement has not publicly confirmed a motive or named any suspects. A candlelight vigil was held by family, friends, and community members to honor him.

If anyone was at South Bend Park on March 24 or has information about Jackson’s plans to sell his car, please share what is known.