Body of missing CDC researcher is found in river

ATLANTA — Now that authorities have found the body of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employee who disappeared more than seven weeks ago, they are focusing on piecing together his final moments.

Timothy Cunningham’s body was found by fishermen this week partially submerged in water and mud on the bank of the Chattahoochee River in northwest Atlanta, said fire-rescue department spokesman Sgt. Cortez Stafford.

Stafford said crews had to use boats and special equipment to reach Cunningham’s body because it was in difficult terrain in a “remote area not easily accessible.”

Fulton County Chief Medical Examiner Jan Gorniak determined the cause of death as drowning but said she was still awaiting toxicology reports.

“Since the investigation is ongoing, we do not have ... whether it was an accident, a suicide or anything other than that” Cunningham drowned, Gorniak said.

The site where the body was found was not far from Cunningham’s house, Maj. Michael O’Connor of the Atlanta Police Department’s Major Crimes Section said. O’Connor said investigators were satisfied that they had spoken to everyone of importance in the case.

“At this stage, we are waiting for some information from the medical examiner’s office — or if someone were to bring new information to us that was relevant, then we would obviously look at that — but absent those circumstances, this case will likely close fairly soon,” he said.

Cunningham, 35, was an epidemiologist at the federal agency in Atlanta. He disappeared Feb. 12, and his family reported him missing on Feb. 16.