Body Found in Submerged Car in Lake Lanier

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Forsyth County investigators have identified the body found in a submerged car in Lake Lanier as 85-year-old Phillip Malone, who had been reported missing out of Roswell. Officials say a boater discovered the red vehicle in the water off Tidwell Park on Monday morning, and deputies worked to remove it. The sheriff's office does not suspect foul play in Malone's death, but the investigation is ongoing.

Why it matters

Lake Lanier is a popular recreational area north of Atlanta, and incidents of vehicles ending up submerged in the lake are not uncommon. This case highlights the importance of water safety and the need for thorough investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding such incidents.

The details

According to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the red vehicle containing Malone's body was found by a boater in the waters off Tidwell Park on Monday morning. Deputies and the Hall County Sheriff's Office Dive Team worked to remove the car from the lake, but the sheriff's office says they do not know how long the vehicle had been submerged or what led to it ending up in the water.

• The body was discovered on Monday, February 17, 2026.
• Malone had been reported missing out of Roswell prior to the discovery.

What’s next

Investigators will continue to examine the circumstances surrounding Malone's death and how the vehicle ended up in the lake.