Crime & Safety

Lawrenceville Man Drowns in Lake Lanier, Hall Officials Say

The man was reportedly trying to get a beach ball when he drowned.

Hall County officials say a Lawrenceville man drowned at Lake Lanier Tuesday evening. He has been identified as 49-year-old Gideon Massey Burt.

Hall County fire Chief David Kimbrell said Burt was in the water near the campground at Lake Lanier Islands when he disappeared around 6:15 Tuesday night. Kimbrell said Burt swam out to get a beach ball, called for help, but was not seen again. 

Hall County divers found Burt's body around 7:20pm in water 32 feet deep.

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Kimbrell said the Hall County sheriff's department is investigating the death.

In May, a Lawrenceville teenager also drowned in the lake.

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