Body found; identity sought

A body was found about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, by a person who smelled a foul odor near a residence on Highway 72 close to the Tennessee state line, according to Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

Forensic analysis of DNA evidence taken from a person missing for about two months and a possible relative is being matched at the Mississippi Crime Lab in an attempt to identify the deceased, the sheriff said.

Maj. Kelly McMillen, with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition inside a tent and in about 4 inches of water in low ground.

He said a person reported missing from work since September 7 may be the deceased.

Investigators suspect foul play.

The corpse had a plastic bag over the head with a rope tied around the bag at the neck, McMillen said. The hands were tied behind the back and attached to the belt loop.

The corpse was removed by Hazmat teams with the Holly Springs Fire Department and the Cayce Fire Department and turned over to coroner James Richard Anderson to be sent for autopsy at the state medical examiner’s office.

A person of interest will be interviewed in the upcoming days, McMillen said.

What could be the victim’s vehicle was found on Faxon Avenue in Memphis, Tenn., and contained personal property of the one identified as the person of interest, he said. No items of the deceased that could be used to identify the victim were found in the vehicle, McMillen said.

The outcome of DNA analysis is expected soon.