The body of slain Mississippi mayoral candidate Marco McMillian was found beaten and burned. The information was shared with McMillian’s family by the Coahoma County coroner.
No cause of death has been determined, however an autopsy has been performed and a toxicology test is pending. The coroner told family members that someone dragged McMillian’s body under a fence and left it near a Mississippi River levee last week.
“We feel that this was not a random act of violence based on the condition of the body when it was found,†said McMillian’s campaign in a statement.
McMillian’s campaign also said he was the first openly gay, viable candidate for public office in Mississippi. 22-year-old Lawrence Reed was charged with murder without bond in the case.