In the latest development in the death of a Columbus political and community activist, a Georgia medical examiner has made a ruling in the manner and cause of death.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan announced the results from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner’s Office around noon today in the death of James Nathan Smith.

Smith, 49, was found unresponsive in his living room on the night of Wednesday, May 21, 2025 on Old Post Court. Officers who responded to the call discovered Smith was deceased with a gunshot wound to the chest area.

Despite lifesaving measures, Smith was pronounced deceased by Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Elizabeth Allison.

Following an autopsy, the Medical Examiner at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in Atlanta ruled Smith’s manner of death as a suicide, and his cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Columbus Police Department announced on Thursday evening their Violent Crimes detectives were actively investigating the incident and were “following up on all leads and will make further determinations once all evidence has been processed and reviewed.”

The department also stated, “as with all investigations, they are committed to a thorough and unbiased review of the facts.”

CNAW2News.com offers our thoughts and prayers to Smith’s family and colleagues who have been affected by this loss. If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 9-8-8.