DNA test needed to ID body found in Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau

A DNA test is needed to identify the man whose body was found June 30 in the Mississippi River, Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton said.

Technicians may need two to three months to process the man’s DNA, but Clifton said he hopes results will be available much sooner.

Clifton previously said the man was 48 or 49 years old and from South Carolina.

Clifton reiterated Wednesday there were no obvious signs of foul play involved with the man’s death, but he could not determine the cause of death. Clifton said Friday the body was badly decomposed and estimated it was in the Mississippi River for several weeks before it was spotted.

A Missouri Dry Dock and Repair worker spotted the body entangled in brush along the Missouri edge of the river just south of the dry dock about 2 p.m. June 30.

Pertinent address:

500 Aquamsi St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.