Authorities have learned the cause of death but still waited Wednesday for medical examiners in Charleston to confirm the identity ofa man found earlier this week in Okatie.
Beaufort County Coroner Ed Allen said the autopsy has been performed at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, but medical examiners there had not yet confirmed the man's identity. Allen declined to release the cause of death or other information about the man until pathologists confirmed his identity using dental records and other information sent Wednesday to the Charleston hospital.
That information could come early today, Allen added.
The body was discovered by Beaufort County Sheriff's Office deputies Monday in woods off Okatie Village Drive.Investigators were unsure whether the body is that of David Taylor, a 55-year-old Sun City Hilton Head man reported missing last week by family members. The body was discovered a short distance from where Taylor's gold 2007 Toyota Camry was found parked Monday, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Sgt. Robin McIntosh said.
Taylor was last seen at about 11 p.m. Friday when he was reported missing from his home on Astral Lane, according to authorities.
Taylor left his cellphone, medication and wallet -- with his driver's license, other identification and credit cards -- at home.
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office said it was notified of Taylor's disappearance Saturday night.
McIntosh said investigators do not suspect foul play and do not believe Taylor was in danger at the time of his disappearance.
Follow reporter Patrick Donohue at twitter.com/ProtectServeBft.
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