CDC, JAMES GATHANYA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researcher who vanished after leaving the agency’s headquarters in February was found dead late on Tuesday (March 3), according to officials in Atlanta. Timothy Cunningham’s body was recovered from the Chattahoochee River and identified by dental records, authorities told reporters yesterday (March 5). The probable cause of death was drowning.
Much about the situation surrounding Cunningham’s death remains unclear. “Barring some new information coming forward . . . we may never be able to tell you how he got into the river,” Major Michael O’Connor of the Atlanta Police told reporters (via The Washington Post).
The 35-year-old epidemiologist’s disappearance on the afternoon of February 12 made headlines, and led to a massive police search and a $15,000 reward for information on his whereabouts. It was reported that he had left work early that day, after telling colleagues he felt unwell.
Police noted after their preliminary searches that Cunningham appeared to have left all his belongings at home. “His keys, his cell phone, credit cards, debit cards, wallet, all his identification, passport—everything you can think of, ...
