Dead body found by Sheriff’s deputies near Parris Island Gateway in Burton identified

Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputies located the body of a deceased man in a ditch near 85 Parris Island Gateway in Burton Saturday morning, according to a Sheriff’s Office release.

The deceased has been identified as 56-year-old Hezekiah Donaldson. He was last seen Jan. 2 — a day before ice and snow blanketed the region, according to a police report. He was reported missing to police on Friday, Jan. 6.

The body was located at 10:19 a.m. Saturday while deputies were conducting a search for Donaldson in the area, a release said.

There were no indications of trauma or foul play found at the scene, according to the release.

Donaldson’s mother told police he was dropped off Jan. 2 in the Burton area near the bus station on Broad River Blvd, according to a report. She said it was unlike her son not to check in every day or two.

The police report dated Jan. 7 states the situation did not meet the criteria of a “Missing and Endangered” person.

Capt. Bob Bromage said Saturday that deputies will continue to investigate reported missing people even if the criteria is not met to enter them into the National Crime Information Center’s as a missing and endangered person.

A forensic autopsy has been scheduled Sunday at the Medical University of South Carolina to establish the cause and manner of Donaldson's death, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

If you have any information on the death of Hezekiah Donaldson, you are encouraged to contact Cpl. Todd Duncan at (843) 255-3418. If you would like to remain anonymous you can call CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CrimeSC.

This story was originally published January 13, 2018 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Dead body found by Sheriff’s deputies near Parris Island Gateway in Burton identified."