A second tragedy has hit the Cedartown High School family this week with the loss of a member of the Class of 2021 and a Bulldog football player.

MJ Whatley, 18, was found dead in his home hours ago. The cause of his death is still unknown.

The news was confirmed via a Facebook posting made in the past few minutes from Polk School District.

Polk School District grieves with our Cedartown High School family over the loss of senior, Michael Jayshun Whatley. Please join us in remembering his family and the CHS faculty and students. We are #PSDstrong#bulldogstrong

PSD Facebook Page

Superintendent Laurie Atkins said the support of the Polk School District is with both MJ’s family and the CHS family tonight.

“It is with great sadness that we once again are met with a tragedy at Cedartown High School with the loss of another student this evening. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the family, faculty, and students at Cedartown High this evening,” she said.

This is the second loss of a student this week after a fatal wreck took the lives of Gracie and Ava Reed (Pauldin) on Thursday. The two were killed in a wreck late on January 21.

Check back for further details and information about funeral services as they become available.