Officials identify drowning victim

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
March 9, 2004
City and county officials identified the body of a man found Monday in Sowashee Creek as Walter M. Parker Jr., 39, of 511 Pippins Road.
Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said he ruled the death an accidental drowning. Cobler said the body will be sent to the Mississippi Mortuary in Pearl for autopsy.
Parker's body was found on a sand bar in Sowashee Creek near Hawkins Crossing. Cobler said it appeared that Parker may have hit his head.
Officials said Parker had been boating down the Sowashee by himself since Sunday in a flat-bottom boat. Cobler said Parker was not wearing a life jacket.
Detective Dean Harper of the Meridian Police Department said Parker's body was recovered at about 8 a.m. on Monday.