Police identify body found in Coosa River

Police have identified the man found dead Wednesday night in the Coosa River as 51 year old Jonathan Evan Kirk, of Southside.  Investigators are trying to figure out how Kirk died, and how his body ended up in the water off of Sibert Circle in Glencoe, not far from his home.  Glencoe Police Chief Jonathan Horton said Kirk had not been seen since Tuesday. Nobody reported Kirk missing because he was believed to be out of town on business.  Horton said investigators found items that Kirk had purchased from a nearby convenience store near his body, and used those purchases to identify Kirk with the store’s owner.  Kirk came in the store and purchased  beer Tuesday, but did not return on Wednesday.  Kirk’s death has not been officially ruled a homicide, but that option has not been ruled out.  Horton said Kirk’s autopsy didn’t immediately reveal the cause of death, so investigators will have to wait for additional forensic test results before they can determine whether or not someone killed Kirk.  Southside Police, the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville State University forensics department are helping with the investigation.  If you have any information that can help Glencoe Police with their investigation, call them at (256)549-4269.