The body of the epidemiologist from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who went missing last February 12 was found floating in a river in Atlanta.
Timothy Cunningham, 35, vanished after leaving work, saying that he felt unwell, NPR reports. Seven weeks later, his body was spotted by fishermen in an area along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, according to officials.
Maj. Michael O’Connor of the Atlanta Police Department said at a press conference,
We have no indication of foul play.
Jan Gorniak, Fulton County Medical Examiner, said that the cause of death is “probably” drowning, but several tests, including a toxicology screening, are still pending.
Gorniak observed that the decomposition of Cunningham’s body is “consistent” with having been submerged in the water since the day he went missing. There were no signs of trauma or other medical conditions.
According to officials, Cunningham’s body was recovered on Tuesday evening. Since his February disappearance, his friends, family and colleagues from the CDC have been questioned, and a $10,000 reward was offered to anyone who could provide information.
With the appearance of Cunningham’s body, many questions still remain unanswered. There are no clues as to how Cunningham’s body got to the river, for example. The area, though near Cunningham’s home, was not accessible by walking, as the police struggled to find a safe place to launch a boat in order to retrieve the remains.
“We do know that he was a jogger and he was wearing his favorite jogging shoes at the time that he was found,” O’Connor said. “I can’t tell you that he was jogging, but those two things together seem to indicate that that’s a possibility.”
Cunningham’s disappearance drew intense media scrutiny, including speculation on the “unusual” circumstances regarding the incident. His belongings, including wallet, keys, and passport, were found inside his home in Atlanta.
O’Connor said that the circumstances surrounding Cunningham’s mysterious death may never be resolved. “Barring new information coming forward, we may never be able to tell you how he got into the river.”
