Update: Body found in burning St. Helena shed was adult male

A body found in a burning St. Helena Island shed on Friday has been identified as an adult male, though the man’s identity has not yet been determined, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The body was found around 8 a.m., when a deputy was called to the scene to investigate the fire on B. Wilson Lane, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

The body was sent to the Medical University of South Carolina on Friday to undergo a forensic autopsy. That autopsy revealed that the body was that of an adult man’s, according to a statement released Saturday by the Sheriff’s Office.

The statement also indicated that a DNA analysis would need to be performed in an effort to establish the deceased male’s identity. How long that analysis will take will depend on the sample, but the case is being given priority, said Capt. Bob Bromage with the Sheriff’s Office.

In addition, MUSC pathologists have indicated that additional studies would be necessary to determine the cause of the man’s death, according to the statement.

The Sheriff’s Office is examining fire debris collected from the shed to determine if an accelerant is present.

No evidence has been identified to indicate foul play, the statement said. All death scene investigations are treated as homicides until proven otherwise, Bromage said.

Both the Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are continuing to investigate.

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Update: Body found in burning St. Helena shed was adult male."