BRUNSWICK, Ga. – An unsigned note was left at a memorial marking the site of Ahmaud Arbery’s death.
The card that was left at the memorial site in the Satilla Shores neighborhood reads: “Ahmaud - I am so sorry. I should have stopped them. I am so sorry.”
It’s unclear when the note was left, but News4Jax’s Jenese Harris noticed the card while covering the case on Tuesday and took a photo of it.
Wow - an unsigned note left on the street corner where #AhmaudArbery was shot and killed.
— Kelly Wiley (@KellyWileyNews) May 13, 2020
The note read “Ahmaud, I am so sorry. I should have stopped them. I am so sorry.”
Photo cred: My colleague @WJXTJenese @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/FVHLIfaFxj
On Wednesday evening, attorneys for Arbery’s family released the following statement regarding the note:
“The family of Ahmaud Arbery is very interested in reaching out to the individual who left the heartfelt note at the site of Ahmaud Arbery’s death. They feel great sympathy for the person who wrote that note and would like to speak with them to determine what they knew or what they saw. If that person would like to confidentially come forward and communicate with the family, they can contact the legal team or reach out directly to Mr. Arbery’s family," the attorneys said in a statement released Wednesday night. Ahmaud Arbery’s family has been overwhelmed by the well-wishes and expressions of kindness sent to them from people around the world. They would like to extend their sincere thanks to those who have taken the time to send a letter, write an email or honor Mr. Arbery in their own way. Support from family and friends and the kindness of strangers are the only things keeping them going during this incredibly difficult time.”
On Thursday afternoon, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation released a statement, saying it had identified the person who wrote the note and that person is not connected to the investigation into Arbery’s death.
"This person was expressing their condolences for Arbery’s death, " the GBI said in the statement. “We’ve received numerous tips and inquires related to this and wanted to be sure to update the public.”
We’ve received numerous tips & inquiries about this note. Please see our statement below. The Ahmaud Arbery murder investigation remains active & ongoing. pic.twitter.com/sCvueC1oMb
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) May 14, 2020
Arbery, 25, was shot and killed Feb. 23 after a pursuit by Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son, 34-year-old Travis McMichael.
The McMichaels are charged with murder and aggravated assault in Arbery’s death, but those arrests didn’t come until after video of the shooting surfaced and the GBI was asked to take over the investigation last week.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the GBI at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).