Missing a week, man found dead

ALICIA -- The body of a man reported missing a week earlier was found in a rural, wooded area Wednesday evening, according to Lawrence County law enforcement officers.

Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services coordinator Buddy Williams said officials found Steven Liles of Black Rock near Village Creek along Lawrence County Road 543 after a search team found a footprint matching boots Liles was last seen wearing. Liles' age was unknown.

Williams said police do not suspect foul play in Liles' death. Authorities sent Liles' body to the state Crime Laboratory for an autopsy.

Family members reported Liles missing Nov. 7 and said he often went to Village Creek to camp and fish. Liles was seen carrying a suitcase in Alicia on Saturday, Williams said.

Police found the suitcase in a ditch and searched the area but did not find him.

On Wednesday, deputies found footprints and followed them to some trees near the creek where they found Liles' body about 5 p.m., Williams said

Lawrence County sheriff's deputies, the Lawrence County Dive Team, and volunteers from police and fire departments in Hoxie, Walnut Ridge and Alicia assisted in the search.

Missing ...

State Desk on 11/14/2014

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