A dad-of-four has been found dead partially hanging from a restaurant kitchen vent.
Terrika Myers, 37, was discovered wedged inside the ventilation system shortly before 9am on Monday (14 Sep) after its owner reported that an employee had found an unidentified man trapped in the vent.
Police were subsequently called to Walter’s Soul Food Cafe in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Atlanta Fire Rescue attended but pronounced Terrika dead at the scene.
The Atlanta Police Department said officers found no immediate signs of foul play.
Investigators have not established why Terrika entered the ventilation system or how long he had been trapped.
Police said: “Upon arrival, officers spoke with the business owner, who stated an employee discovered an unidentified male stuck in the vent of the kitchen area.
“The male was wedged inside the vent and was pronounced deceased on scene by Atlanta Fire Rescue.
“There were no apparent signs of foul play.”
The force added that its investigation into the “circumstances surrounding the incident” was continuing.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified the deceased man as Terrika.
An autopsy was scheduled to establish his official cause of death.
Walter’s Soul Food Cafe had not issued a public statement about the discovery at the time of writing.
Terrika’s mother, Yolanda Myers, has since launched a fundraiser to cover his funeral expenses.
She described her son as a devoted father of four who was looking forward to becoming a grandfather for the first time.
His grandchild is expected between late November and early December.
The family said Terrika was hearing impaired but never allowed it to stop him from helping other people.
A statement on the fundraiser said: “Terrika was known as a devoted friend, a loving family man and someone who would help anyone in need however he could.
“His passing has left the Myers family heartbroken and at a loss for words.”
The appeal states that Terrika suffered a heart attack, although authorities have not yet publicly confirmed his cause of death.
His funeral is due to take place on September 26.
The family said he did not have insurance and is attempting to raise $2,200 (£1,630) towards the service.
The gruesome discovery was reportedly made by a female restaurant employee as she arrived for work.
A colleague named only as Rick later told local outlet WSB-TV that all they could see was his ‘head and his arms’.
The employee who found Terrika was said to have been left traumatised.
The outlet reported that the roof of a neighbouring petrol station sits close to a hill, potentially making the restaurant’s roof relatively easy to reach.
However, police have not said how Terrika gained access to the vent or suggested why he may have entered it.
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