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Good Swimmer Dies in Georgia Lake Mystery
15 Jun
Summary
- A 21-year-old man drowned in Lake Lanier on Saturday, June 15.
- His sister described him as a good swimmer, questioning how this could happen.
- This marks the seventh drowning incident at Lake Lanier this year.

A 21-year-old man, Terrell Shelton of Pendergrass, was found dead in Lake Lanier on Saturday, June 15, approximately seven months ago. He had been swimming to an island with friends near Robinson Park when he vanished underwater around 2:40 p.m. local time. His companions were unable to locate him after he failed to resurface.
Authorities recovered Shelton's body later that evening, around 11:30 p.m., in about 14 feet of water using a remotely operated vehicle. His sister, Calista Shelton, expressed profound grief and disbelief, highlighting that her brother was a capable swimmer and questioning the events leading to his death. She has since organized a GoFundMe to support her family through this devastating loss.
This incident is the seventh drowning reported at Lake Lanier in the current calendar year. The lake, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is a popular recreational area with extensive shoreline and numerous activity zones. However, it has also seen a significant number of swimming- and boating-related fatalities over the years, leading some to describe it with ominous terms.
The drowning death of Terrell Shelton is currently under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff's Office. The circumstances remain unclear, prompting further examination into the events of that afternoon.