Body found on banks of Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau

The body of a 47-year-old man was discovered Thursday morning along the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Thomas Turner, who is believed to have been a resident at a local care facility, was reported missing Wednesday night, according to Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton.

A passer-by spotted Turner around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, and Clifton said the man was partially in the water, but it is not clear whether it was a drowning death.

There was a laceration on the man's scalp, but it is not believed to have been a fatal injury.

Clifton said there is no obvious sign of foul play, but he was not willing to speculate as to cause of death this early in the investigation.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday, Clifton said.