Lowndes County investigators said they had no leads the day after the shooting death of a Columbus woman.
The body of Sharon Beard was spotted early Thursday morning, by a passerby driving in the 1400 block of Jemison Mill Road.
The driver called 911 after seeing the body, about 20 to 25 feet off the road shortly before 6:30 a.m.
Beard, 36, reportedly had been shot twice, though officials would not confirm the report. Investigators are not releasing any other details on the case, since there are no suspects in custody. There also have been no leads in the investigation.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant released the victim”s name today. It was being withheld Thursday, pending the notification of family members, who live in Columbus.
An autopsy completed in Jackson, Thursday, by medical examiner Dr. Mark Levaughn confirmed what Merchant had already determined: Beard died of a gunshot wound.
A toxicology report will be released in the coming days, revealing if any chemicals, such as alcohol or drugs, were in Beard”s system when she died.
Beard apparently was shot at the scene, Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office Chief Deputy Greg Wright said Thursday. The area is isolated, with only a hunting lodge nearby.
Carter”s Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of Beard”s funeral arrangements. Details of the service have not been finalized.
Beard”s is the seventh murder in Lowndes County this year, all of which were shooting deaths
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