SUMTER COUNTY, Ga. — A mother and son were found dead outside their south Georgia home, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Sumter County deputies were called around 8:30 a.m. Sept. 22, in the area of Highway 118, for a welfare check. When first responders arrived, they found a woman dead outside the home. After securing the scene and conducting further investigation, authorities found a man dead near the home, the sheriff’s office said.
Sumter County Sheriff Eric Bryant tells ABC-affiliate WTVM the victims were a 67-year-old man and his 88-year-old mother who lived in the Leslie area of Sumter County.
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Bryant told WTVM investigators believe the man may have been cutting grass with a push mower when he collapsed. The sheriff said investigators also believe his mother may have gone outside to help him before she collapsed as well.
According to WTVM, the bodies were discovered by a utility crew and may have been in the yard for at least a week before they were found.
Authorities said there is currently no evidence to indicate foul play, but the case remains an active death investigation.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Sumter County Coroner’s Office are investigating the deaths.
The sheriff’s office said it extends its condolences to the victims’ family members as the investigation continues.
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