A Georgia medical examiner has confirmed that a local political activist took his own life May 21st, 2025. The Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan initially ruled the death of J Nathan Smith as a suicide but after public outcry suggesting something more sinister, the body was sent to the GBI crime lab for further investigation.
According to the final report the cause of death for Smith is a gunshot wound to the torso and the manner of death is suicide. The local political activist used a .25 caliber weapon to shoot himself in the chest after leaving an 8-page letter to his wife and pastor.
Smith was known for frequenting local government meetings. He spent his final months routinely appearing before City Council calling for the ouster of city manager Isaiah Hugley. Less than a week after Smith’s suicide councilors voted to fire the city manager.
