Man and his dog discovered dead at Natchez Port Wednesday night; death obviously associated to extreme heat
Published 11:13 am Thursday, August 3, 2023
NATCHEZ — The body of a Natchez man was discovered on the 2nd boat dock at the Natchez Port late Wednesday night by passing anglers, however Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said today nasty play is not presumed.
The man’s dog, which remained in a vehicle that deputies believe had actually been left running, was discovered dead, too.
James William Myrick
Patten said his deputies were informed by E-911 dispatch at around 11:08 p.m. Wednesday that a body was discovered.
When deputies got here, they discovered James William Myrick, 69, of Natchez, deceased on the concrete boat ramp.
“Deputies did not find any signs of trauma on his body that would indicate foul play nor anything else that would lead us to believe foul play was involved. Of course, we won’t know that definitively until autopsy results are received,” Patten said.
He said Myrick had fishing equipment and was holding a bag from Cash Savers grocery store that consisted of an invoice time-stamped at around 1:30 p.m.
“He had some cheese and crackers and catfish bait in bag,” Patten said. “It looks like he walked down the ramp and went fishing. The river is low right now, and the concrete ramp that goes down in the water is steep. We think he must have passed out from heat exhaustion while walking back up the steep ramp.”
Patten said signs are that the vehicle the dog remained in was initially left running. However, by the time the man was discovered, the vehicle was no longer running and the dog was deceased.
Patten said Myrick’s other half and near relative have actually been informed of his death.
He said a passing barge saw Myrick’s body. They flagged down anglers, who attempted to get Myrick’s attention from the water to no get and called 9-1-1.
