The cause of death is still unknown in the case of a man found dead, Feb. 10, in the woods near Winslows Mills Road in Waldoboro.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., Feb. 9, Waldoboro Police officers responded to a disturbance at 951 Winslows Mills Rd.
When they arrived at the residence, police were advised that Frank Leathers, 27, of Waldoboro, had left the residence on foot and was headed south on Winslows Mills Rd. to a friend’s house on Route 1.
According to a press release, police checked the area and observed foot prints in the snow across the street from the residence leading into the woods. Sgt. Jamie Wilson followed the tracks into the woods a short distance, but deep snow and extreme weather conditions prevented him from continuing the search.
Additional officers from the Waldoboro Police Department, as well as Fire Chief Paul Smeltzer, arrived on scene and a more exhaustive search was conducted. At approximately 12:30 a.m., the search was terminated.
At approximately 8 a.m. Feb. 10 a second search was initiated by Game Warden Joe Lefebvre and members of the Waldoboro Police Department. At approximately 11:15 a.m., the body of the deceased was located in the woods several hundred yards off the roadway.
Although the death was not considered suspicious, an autopsy was done Feb. 11 at the Medical Examiners Office in Augusta. Administrator Mark Belserine said Feb. 13 that results of toxicology tests could take several months.
The Lincoln County News will continue to follow this story.