ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Pastor Tim Downs says the man who was found dead on the 1100 block of Sylvan Road in southwest Atlanta was a longtime member.
Donald Lott, 52, was found Thursday night after someone walking through an abandoned building saw his body.
Lott, according to Downs, lived at the Atlanta Hope Center, worked as a security guard and did other jobs to help the community.
"He was a handyman - always had his tools on him," Downs said. "He is also a great member of this church and he will be sadly missed. He was in the choir and we called him the head of security, he did security at the church. He was an all around tremendous guy, loved children and people and we are saddened."
Downs said he knew something was wrong when Lott did not show up for service. Since he was baptized and became a member of the church last year, Downs said he's been in attendance for three services a week.
"Lott has never missed a service and yesterday he didn't show up, he didn't come to church," Downs said. "So, we immediately thought this was strange. We called his parents- they hadn't heard from him, they said they would look for him in the morning."
Downs is hopeful that someone who sees his picture will have information about his last whereabouts. For now, Downs said the church will pray for Lott and for justice.
"He means a lot to us, he means a lot to his family. This wasn't someone who is out there, another statistic in the city of Atlanta, another homicide," Downs said. "This is a man that loved God, people loved him, and we would certainly like to bring closure to it in the end."
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