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*The remains of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemiologist Timothy Cunningham were discovered Tuesday in the Chattahoochee River in northwest Atlanta after his family had reported him missing in February.
The preliminary cause of death is drowning, Fulton County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Gorniak told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday. The manner of death has not been determined, but there were no signs of foul play, said police spokesman Carlos Campos.
Cunningham, 35, was last seen on February 12. His disappearance prompted a high-profile police search and a $10,000 reward for clues. As days went on, internet rumors circulated that the case was tied to his alleged role as a flu vaccine whistle-blower. The rumors were debunked by police and his family.
Authorities made a positive ID of the remains by using dental records, Gorniak said. Police are awaiting a final report from the medical examiner, but unless new information comes forward, the investigation is expected to conclude soon, officials said.
Cunningham’s family released a statement Thursday night saying, “We sincerely thank all of you for the support and kindness you have shown our family during this difficult time. We are processing this incomprehensible loss and request time and space to grieve.”
Below, more details from the press briefing via CNN:
Cunningham’s home is not far from the river, O’Connor said. Cunningham was also known to be a jogger, and was wearing his “favorite jogging shoes” when he was found. According to O’Connor, Cunningham was also an avid collector of “crystals,” and three were found in his pocket. The condition of the body is “consistent” with Cunningham having been in the river since he first went missing, Gorniak said. There were no signs of trauma on the body.
Sgt. Cortez Stafford, a spokesman for the Atlanta Fire Department, said the department had searched the area of the river where the body was found on February 23. At that time, Stafford said, there was no sign of a body. But that wasn’t the case on Tuesday, when two fishermen called 911 to report a body.
“It was very difficult terrain, very difficult to access the location of where Mr. Cunningham was found,” Stafford said. “It was in a remote area that’s not easily accessible by walking trails, by vehicle or by people just being around there.” The body was found along the riverbank, Stafford said, and was “stuck in a lot of mud as well.”
Stafford couldn’t say whether the body had been in the area when it was canvassed on February 23. It could have been there or it could have moved there later, he said. “There’s just no way to tell due to the rise and fall of the river,” Stafford said.
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