The body of a Georgia man was discovered in a Meridian motel room Tuesday.

The preliminary cause of death was reported as a suicide.

The victim, whose name is being withheld pending notification of relatives, was a 51-year old white male from Marietta, Ga. Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said the victim died of a single gunshot wound to the head. According to sources, the victim had been renting a room at the Western Motel on Hwy. 11/80 in Meridian and paying by the day. He was last seen Saturday. When the victim stopped paying his daily rental rate, the manager went to the room Tuesday evening to inquire as to why. Finding the door chained, the manager called patrolmen with the Meridian Police Department to gain entry.

At about 7 p.m. entry was made and the body was discovered.

A death investigation by the MPD is ongoing and an autopsy has been ordered.