Body of missing man found in downtown Cape lot

Workers mowing an overgrown lot near the floodwall just north of downtown Cape Girardeau discovered the decomposing body of a man Wednesday morning.

Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton later identified the man as 59-year-old Lester Laman Jeffrey Jr.

A Cape Girardeau resident, Jeffrey was reported missing to area police Monday, said Sgt. Barry Hovis, spokesman for the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Friends of Jeffrey said he hadn't been seen since July 14, Hovis said.

A worker mowing the lot in the 200 block of North Main Street noticed the body around 10 a.m. when he saw what looked like a pants leg tucked into the waist-high grass and weeds, Hovis said.

The clothing Jeffrey wore helped to identify him because it was the same outfit he'd had on when he was last seen, friends told police. In addition, police found credit cards in the man's wallet, further identifying him.

There was no obvious trauma to the body, Hovis said.

An autopsy is scheduled for this morning at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Mo.

Police were hesitant to speculate as to how Jeffrey died.

"So many scenarios could have caused his death," Hovis said.

Hovis said there is no reason to suspect foul play at this point.

The body had already begun to decompose, and police collected samples of insects found at the scene to help estimate a possible time of death.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245

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