Submerged car at Lake Lanier’s Tidwell Park yields body as investigators work to identify victim

Vehicle recovered near Forsyth County boat ramp; identity and circumstances remain under investigation

A red sedan was pulled from Lake Lanier on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, after being spotted submerged near the boat ramp at Tidwell Park in Forsyth County. A body was found inside the vehicle, and investigators said the victim’s identity had not been released as of late Monday pending notification of next of kin.

Emergency response at the lake involved multiple agencies. Deputies and investigators from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office led the scene, while a Hall County dive team assisted with operations in the water and the recovery of the car. An ambulance was also at the park as the vehicle was brought to shore.

The initial call came after a lake user noticed the vehicle underwater near the boat ramp. Witnesses at the scene described clear water conditions that made the submerged car visible from the surface, prompting a 911 call and a response that included divers and investigators.

What investigators have confirmed so far

• The vehicle was found submerged near the Tidwell Park boat ramp on Lake Lanier.
• A body was recovered from inside the car.
• The victim’s name has not been released while authorities work to notify next of kin.
• Investigators have not disclosed how the vehicle entered the water or how long it had been submerged.
• Authorities have indicated that foul play is not suspected, while the investigation continues.

How the case is likely to proceed

In recoveries involving a submerged vehicle, investigators typically work to establish three timelines: when the vehicle entered the water, when it was first observed, and when it was recovered. Confirming identity is often the first step, followed by coordination with the medical examiner to determine cause and manner of death.

Authorities have not publicly detailed whether the vehicle’s registration, any personal effects, or forensic findings at the scene have provided immediate leads. The sheriff’s office has said the name will be released only after family notification, a standard procedure in death investigations.

Context: Tidwell Park has been the site of prior vehicle recoveries

Tidwell Park’s boat ramp area has previously been the location of other incidents involving vehicles entering the lake, including a 2015 case in which a vehicle was found submerged at the end of the ramp and a fatality was reported. Monday’s recovery underscores the operational challenges first responders face in ramp areas where vehicles can enter the water quickly and remain difficult to detect under typical lake conditions.

Officials have not released the identity of the person found in the vehicle and have not detailed how the car ended up in the water.

The investigation remained active Monday evening. Additional information is expected once identification is confirmed and next of kin has been notified.