Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: August 19, 2004

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Sgt. Jim Taliaferro, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prominent Local Builder Drowns

At approximately 8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 18^th, police were called to 5623 Mirador Circle, the home of Mr. Don Coleman, w/m, 83 yoa who had disappeared shortly after walking down to his boat dock to feed his ducks.

Police arrived and spoke with the housekeeper who stated Mr. Coleman regularly went down to the boat launch and fed the ducks as part of his evening routine. When forty five (45) minutes passed, the housekeeper became worried and summoned neighbors, police and cross lake patrol to look for Mr. Coleman. No foul play was indicated and their was no sign of Mr. Coleman.

Earlier this morning, Thursday, August 19^th at approximately 8:00 am, family members called police and said Mr. Coleman had not returned home. Shreveport Police district officers, Detectives and Crime Scene Investigations went to the Coleman home and began a systematic search for Coleman.

At approximately 10:00 am, an unidentified body surfaced in the water just behind the Coleman home by the boat launch, believed to be that of Mr. Coleman. The Caddo Parish Coroners Office took the body into custody for further investigation and determination of the cause of death.

Mr. Coleman had been in the construction business since the late 40's and was responsible for the building of such well know subdivisions as Bell Aire, Southgate, Coleman Parks, South Broadmoor, Orleans Square and over 10,000 homes in the Bossier area.

From the Coleman Family: Our family is in shock of our loss. Please allow us this time to be alone to process and handle our grief. As we become stronger and our healing process begins, a statement from the family will be forthcoming. Thank you for your consideration, patience and respect.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews