Body Found in Long Hunter State Park Lake

Homicide investigation underway after recovery of adult male victim

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:50am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single police evidence marker placed on the shore of a lake, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the investigation of a tragic incident in a public park.The recovery of a body from a state park lake raises concerns about public safety and the need for increased vigilance, even in peaceful natural areas.Today in Nashville

A body was pulled from J. Percy Priest Lake in Nashville's Long Hunter State Park on Wednesday evening, prompting a homicide investigation by Metro police. Officers responded to a report of a body in the water around 5:45 p.m. and recovered the adult male victim with assistance from the Nashville Fire Department, though the identity and circumstances surrounding the death remain unknown at this time.

Why it matters

The discovery of a body in a public park lake raises serious concerns about public safety and potential criminal activity in the area. Long Hunter State Park is a popular recreation destination, so this incident has unsettled the local community and sparked an investigation to determine if foul play was involved.

The details

Metro police stated that while the homicide division is investigating the incident, the death does not necessarily mean it was the result of a criminal act. No additional details about the victim or how the body ended up in the lake have been released so far.

  • Officers responded to the report around 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Metro Police

The metropolitan police department of Nashville, Tennessee, which is leading the homicide investigation into the discovery of the body.

Nashville Fire Department

The local fire and rescue service that assisted Metro police in recovering the body from the lake.

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What’s next

Metro police stated the homicide division is investigating, but have not yet determined if the death was the result of a criminal act. They have not released the victim's identity or any other details about the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body.

The takeaway

This incident has raised concerns about public safety in Long Hunter State Park and the need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the victim's death. The local community will be watching closely for updates from the Metro police as they work to uncover what happened.