Authorities still looking into cause of death for Poplar Bluff man found in river

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Drowning has been ruled as the cause of death for a Poplar Bluff man found floating in the Black River, but questions still linger as authorities continue to investigate his death.

An autopsy was performed on the body of Jacky Green by Dr. Russell Deidiker at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Mo., after the 51-year-old was found by a fisherman Sunday morning.

Green was found in the river about 50 yards south of the Bartlett Street bridge.

Monday morning's autopsy was "relatively unremarkable for any type of trauma, foul play," said Butler County Coroner Jim Akers.

Due to the condition of Green's body and where he was found, his cause of death has been ruled as a drowning; however, "as a result of the decomposition, scientific proof to that is unavailable," Akers explained.

The autopsy, Akers said, could not determine whether Green suffered from heart or lung ailments or whether he was held under the water due to the condition of the body.

"Nothing is pointing toward foul play; it still looks like an accident," said Akers.

At this time, Green's manner of death -- accidental, homicide, suicide or natural causes -- is still under investigation, Akers said.

Toxicology results are also pending at this time, said Akers.

"Due to the late stage of decomposition, normal toxicology was not available," explained Akers. "Only tissue was available, so that will take longer" for the analysis to be done.

Normal toxicology results usually take about six weeks to be returned.

"We do have a lead off of stomach contents, which may help us determine the time of death, within one hour of death," Akers said.

Green, authorities earlier reported, was last seen at about 5 p.m. Thursday by a City Cab driver, who dropped him off at the Trax Bar on Vine Street.

The Trax Bar, according to Akers, does not serve food, and other downtown restaurants were either closed or not serving the type of foods Green had eaten.

Authorities believe Green may have been in the river since Thursday night or the early morning hours Friday, Akers said. His family reported him missing Sunday morning, about the same time authorities were trying to make identification.

"The contents of his stomach is making me think it was Thursday evening," Akers said. " ... We would ask that anyone who saw Mr. Green Thursday evening to contact the detectives at (the Poplar Bluff) Police Department or myself."

The Butler County Coroner's Office, Akers said, is continuing to work closely with the police department to follow up any leads that come in.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO