Officials identify man found dead on Lowndes-Brooks County line

July 14, 2017

LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) -- We're learning new details after a body was found near the Brooks-Lowndes County line one month ago.

Monday, the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office says they've identified the man as 52-year-old Billy Rose, a Brooks County resident.

His body was discovered by a conductor on a CSX train on the east side of the Withlacoochee River, between the Highway 84 bridge and the train trestle on July 13.

LCSO says Rose is originally from Kentucky, but was living at a resident's house just across the County line and not far from where he was discovered.

They're told the man walked off from the house in late June, but that it wasn't unusual, so friends never reported him missing.

The Sheriff says Rose's body was badly decomposed, so extra testing could be necessary. Autopsy reports have not yet returned.

When asked if he had any known illnesses, the LCSO says they're looking into that too.

They're still investigating what caused his death and what time it happened.

They say they don't believe there to be any foul play, but have not ruled it out either.

July 14, 2017

LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) -- We're learning new details after a body was found near the Brooks-Lowndes County line on Thursday.

The body was discovered on the east side of the Withlacoochee River, between the Highway 84 bridge and the train trestle. A conductor on a CSX train spotted the body as the train was coming across the bridge.

Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk says the body is badly decomposed.

Authorities have not yet identified the body but say it appears to be a white male, small in stature, approximately 5'5" tall and 140 to 150 pounds.

The crime lab is working on the identity and cause of death, but officials say they will probably not have those answers until next week.

Sheriff Paulk says investigators suspect that the man went into the river near where his body was later found because socks and a shirt were also found at the scene.

Deputies say they have canvassed the area and talked to people nearby. They’re also looking into missing persons cases in the area.

July 13, 2017

LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) -- A body has been spotted at the Brooks and Lowndes County line near the Withlacoochee River on Thursday afternoon.

Workers on a passing CSX train spotted the body at the scene.

Deputies are on the scene near Highway 84, and have confirmed that the body is that of a male and that the death is not recent.

This is a developing story. Stay with WCTV for more information as we get it.