A missing swimmer has been discovered dead at a Georgia lake that has a reputation for being haunted, according to authorities and various news accounts.
Terrell Shelton, aged 21, was reported missing from Lake Lanier near Robinson Park on Saturday afternoon, as stated by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials noted that Shelton had been swimming towards an island with friends when he abruptly vanished from their view.
“When his friends looked back, he was gone and they thought he might have gone under without resurfacing,” police reported.
His body was located hours later, just before midnight, approximately 14 feet underwater, and it was retrieved by a remote-controlled vehicle.
Calista Shelton, Terrell’s sister, expressed her shock to WCBTV, noting her brother was an experienced swimmer. “I was honestly shaking and freaking out. I mean, how could this happen? We have no idea what occurred before he reached the island,” she shared.
The grieving sister urged the community on Facebook to pray for Shelton’s family and friends.
“He had so much ahead of him. A son, a brother, a partner, a friend—he was deeply loved by many. It’s hard to articulate the sadness of losing him so abruptly,” Calista reflected.
“Terrell, I wish we had more time. I wish we could talk one more time, share one more laugh, make one more memory. You’ll always be my brother and I will carry you with me forever,” she added.
The investigation into Shelton’s death is ongoing.
“Please keep our family, his boyfriend, and all who loved him in your thoughts and prayers as we endure this heartbreaking loss,” she requested.
A GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering Shelton’s funeral and memorial costs has raised over $2,000 towards a $14,000 goal.
Lake Lanier, created in the 1950s, submerged a town, forest, and cemetery and has been a setting for eerie scenes in the Netflix series Ozark. Reports indicate that more than 200 people have lost their lives in the lake since 1994, with locals often alleging that the man-made body of water is haunted.
In May 2025, Dustin Valencia, a 43-year-old triathlete and father of five, also went missing while kayaking on Lake Lanier. His body was later found in a cove, 51 feet beneath the surface.
So far this year, Shelton’s death marks the seventh reported drowning at Lake Lanier, and authorities continue to investigate the incident.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office has not yet responded to requests for comment.
