Atmore man found dead in Tensaw River
Published 10:11 am Monday, May 9, 2011
Authorities have identified the body of a man found floating in the Tensaw River last Saturday to be that of a 51-year-old Atmore man.
Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office authorities released the identification of the victim Wednesday morning as being that of Eural L. Ward of Atmore. The Mobile Police Department was able to positively identify Ward by his fingerprints using its Automatic Fingerprints Identification System, according to reports. Family members also identified his tattoos and jewelry.
According to officials, a follow-up on the towing of a Ford Taurus from a bridge on Interstate 65 also assisted in the positive identification of Ward. Alabama State Troopers towed his vehicle from the 27-mile marker between Little River and the Tensaw River on April 27 to the wrecking yard in Bay Minette after it was reported abandoned.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety Community Information Center’s Web site, Ward was a “compliant” registered sex offender with a current address of 646 Ewing Dr. in Atmore. He had recently been released from prison.
An autopsy was conducted, but final results are still pending. No signs of foul play were indicated and it could be six to 12 weeks before toxicology results are available, according to reports.
The cause and manner of death remains unclear.