Body of Royston man found dead in Anderson has been identified

A Royston man has been identified as the body found floating in a retention pond in Anderson on Monday.

According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s spokesman JT Foster, deputies were called to the pond on Appleton Street on the Old Appleton Mill property late Monday morning.

There they found the body floating in the water.

According to the incident report, the person who discovered the body said the property is commonly used as a shortcut between Glenn St. and Appleton St.

The Anderson County coroner later identified the victim as Mericus J. Scott, 18, of Royston, Georgia.

Foster tells WNEG News Scott suffered multiple gunshot wounds and had only been dead for a short period time before his body was discovered.

According to the coroner, Scott’s death has been ruled a homicide.

Foster said the investigation is still very active and no arrests have yet been made.

Royston Police Chief Donnie Boleman says his office is working with investigators from Anderson County.

Boleman said both Anderson and Royston investigators are following multiple leads.

He said Scott was known to law enforcement in our area.

An autopsy was set for Wednesday morning in Anderson.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you more details as they become available.