Body found in creek during search for missing man, Forest Acres police say
During the search for a missing man, a body was found Wednesday in a Columbia creek, Forest Acres Police said.
The body that was found at about 10:45 a.m. near the 5500 block of Lakeshore Drive has not been publicly identified, Police Chief Gene Sealy said in a news release. That’s next to Percival Drive, and near the junction of Forest Drive and Interstate 77.
Police have not said if there is any connection between the discovery and Thomas Scott Willoch, the man who was last seen by his family on Sept. 17.
But officers, along with a police dog, were searching for the 30-year-old who lives in that area when the body was discovered, according to the release.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death and publicly identify the person found after performing an autopsy and notifying the next of kin.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is also assisting in the investigation.
Willoch’s family told police he suffers from a mental condition, and he was entered into the National Crime Information Center in an effort to locate him.
Anyone with information about Willoch is asked to call police at 803-782-9444.
In an effort to find Willoch, the K9 Search Special Operations from Union County, South Carolina, provided specialized dogs and a handler, according to Sealy.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 8:14 AM.
