Athens, GA – The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has launched an investigation into the death of Walter Carrasquillo, a 63-year-old man whose body was found in his residence on Merlin Place. The discovery was made on December 6, 2025, after a concerned neighbor requested a welfare check.
Neighbor’s Concern Leads to Discovery
According to police reports, a neighbor prompted the welfare check after not seeing Carrasquillo for two weeks. The neighbor informed authorities that Carrasquillo lived alone, as his wife had recently been taken to Florida. A strong, unusual odor emanating from the home further raised suspicions, leading to the call to law enforcement.
Unusual Scene at the Residence
Upon arrival at the Merlin Place address, officers encountered an unusual setup: a phone was found glued to the front door, connected to a cable. After making a forced entry into the home, police located Carrasquillo’s body upstairs. He was found slumped in a chair, in an advanced state of decomposition, with “blood present” at the scene.
Authorities also discovered undisclosed medication on a chair and a small bag containing a white powder, presumed to be illicit drugs, within the residence.
Autopsy Pending to Determine Cause of Death
Carrasquillo’s body has been transported to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy. Athens police have stated that the official cause of death is pending the results from laboratory analysis. At this time, no further details regarding the circumstances of his death or potential foul play have been released.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are awaiting the findings from the medical examiner to provide more clarity on this incident. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has not yet commented on whether the unusual phone setup at the front door is connected to the death or if it is a separate matter.
Neighbors in the Merlin Place area have expressed shock and sadness over the news, with many recalling Carrasquillo as a quiet resident. The community awaits further information as the investigation progresses.
Source: https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/man-s-death-in-his-athens-home-under-investigation
