TROUP COUNTY, Ga. — A tragic day on West Point Lake ended in heartbreak Tuesday evening after a young man from Stockbridge drowned while swimming at a popular park near the Georgia-Alabama line. Authorities have identified the victim as 22-year-old Larenz Collins, according to a release from the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred around 7:10 p.m. at R. Shaefer Heard Park, a recreational area that extends into the southern portion of West Point Lake. A distress call was placed to 911, reporting that a swimmer was in trouble and had gone underwater. Witnesses said Collins had been swimming in the lake when he suddenly appeared to struggle and then disappeared beneath the surface.
Emergency crews from multiple agencies, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Troup County Fire Department, quickly responded. Boats and dive teams were deployed in an attempt to locate the missing swimmer. However, the search was temporarily delayed due to a severe storm that passed through the area during the rescue efforts.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, recovery teams resumed their efforts as soon as it was safe to do so. After several hours of searching, Collins’ body was located and recovered from the water at approximately 10:45 p.m. Authorities confirmed the drowning appears to be a tragic accident, with no signs of foul play suspected.
Larenz Collins’ death marks another devastating reminder of the dangers that can come with open-water swimming, especially in areas without lifeguards or clear safety markers. Officials have not released further details about whether Collins was wearing a life jacket or if anyone was swimming with him at the time of the incident.
The sheriff’s office expressed its condolences to the family, calling the event a heartbreaking loss. The community is now mourning the death of a young man whose life was cut tragically short. Friends and loved ones are expected to gather in the coming days to remember Collins and support his grieving family.
As summer continues, local authorities are reminding the public to take extra precautions when enjoying lakes and other bodies of water, emphasizing the importance of life jackets, supervision, and awareness of changing weather conditions.