11/12/2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPDATE ON UNIDENTIFIED MALE The unidentified male that was found deceased last Saturday morning under the I 85 bridge at the 51 exit at South College in Auburn has been positively identified as 54 year old John Michael Maines of Tennessee. Maines was positively identified through fingerprints. The cause of death per a postmortem exam indicate he died of natural causes due to liver, heart, kidney and gastrointestinal problems. There was no evidence of any significant trauma. His family was notified in Pennsylvania and stated that he was a traveler and was probably on his way to Florida. His remains will be returned to Pennsylvania per the family’s request. Authorities received a call Saturday morning about 11:45 AM of a person lying beside Interstate 85 under the Exit 51 bridge. Upon arrival by Alabama State Troopers, Auburn Police and EAMC EMS, the body of a white male with no signs of life was located at that location. Lee County Coroner Bill Harris pronounced the male subject dead at 12:15 PM. The deceased person had no identification on him and authorities are working to obtain his identity. It appears that he may have been homeless and living under the bridge. At this time no foul play is suspected, but his body has been taken to the Alabama Dept. of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for a postmortem exam to determine the cause of death and for a positive identification. The case remains under investigation by the Auburn Police and Lee County Coroner.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 03:00:49 +0000