Recent cold temperatures played at least a contributing role in the death of a local man, according to officials.
Roger L. “Mud Duck” Pittman, 58, of 1121 McKoy Lane, Cascilla, was pronounced dead Dec. 21 after having gone missing for several days before his body was found in a field not far from his residence.
Tallahatchie County Coroner Ginger Meriwether ruled Pittman’s death accidental, citing cardiac arrest as the cause and listing hypothermia as an underlying cause.
She explained that a toxicology test was conducted and sent for analysis.
Pittman's body was released to Clark-Williams Funeral Home, Meriwether added.
Tallahatchie County Sheriff Jimmy Fly said family members reported Pittman, a local farm worker, missing Dec. 20 and told authorities he was last seen two days earlier, on Dec. 18.
Fly said authorities searched area roads, as Pittman was known to occasionally walk to a local store.
When family members found his body on the morning of Dec. 21, he was lying in a field fully dressed, and there appeared to be no evidence of foul play, said Fly.
Officials theorize Pittman may have been walking, fell and was unable to get up.
Low temperatures on the nights of Dec. 18-20 were from the mid-20s to low 30s.
