Covington Co. authorities identified decomposed body

COVINGTON COUNTY, Miss. - A decomposed body found early May in Covington County has been identified.

According to Covington County investigators, the remains were identified as Bennie Barnes, 63, of Collins.

The cause of death has not been determined and the department is waiting on the Mississippi State Crime Lab for results.

According to Covington County Sheriff Stann Smith, the body was found 10 to 15 feet from a turkey hunter on Lake Mike Connor Road and Blackjack New Chapel Road. Sheriff Smith mentioned the area is a pipeline that is part of a hunting lease.

He added, "What we do know is that the turkey hunter was there March 15 and he did not see a body then."

Sheriff Smith speculates the body was placed there from either the Lake Mike Connor entrance or the Blackjack Road entrance. "The Blackjack Road entrance has a secure lock" added Sheriff Smith.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations assisted with the case.