Missing Cape County man found dead near his home Friday

A Cape Girardeau County man missing since Tuesday night was found dead less than a mile from his home.

Scott Cornman, 37, was pronounced dead at 5:40 p.m. Friday, according to Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton.

Cornman had been missing since Tuesday night, when he was last seen leaving the Pilot House, 3532 Perryville Road near Cape Girardeau.

The body was found well off the roadway between the Pilot House and Cornman's home in the Route W Trailer Court, according to Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department Lt. David James.

A local resident who had been checking on a barn on his property discovered Cornman's body around 4:30 p.m. Friday in a field, James said.

There were no obvious signs of either foul play or self-inflicted trauma to Cornman, according to Clifton. The body, which had been at the site for at least 24 hours, was fully clothed and nothing appeared to be missing, he added.

An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday, but results from toxicological testing could take up to two weeks, Clifton said.

When Cornman had been missing, co-workers from AT&T had been allowed to take time of work to help search the area where he was last seen, according to Maureen Hodges, AT&T associate director. Some even went out to search after their shift ended.

Hodges said that Cornman not showing up for work on Wednesday was unusual.

"He just wouldn't do that," she said, adding Cornman had perfect attendance at least the last three years. Once he even came to work after a fire, she said.

Cornman worked as a service representative for AT&T, dealing with customers who called in, according to Hodges.

"I don't think there was anyone at work that had anything bad to say about him," said Shane Thompson, who worked across from Cornman at AT&T.

"He's just a super guy," she said. "He will be sorely missed."

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127