Identity of man whose body was found near Irondale remains a mystery

Officials say the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is awaiting toxicology reports before it determines the cause of death.

IRONDALE — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has yet to confirm the identity and cause of death of a man whose body was found floating near Irondale earlier this month.

According to Chief Criminal Deputy Arthur Frank, an autopsy has been performed and the preliminary findings did not conflict with initial findings.

“The autopsy didn’t change our thought that there was no foul play involved,” Frank said. “We’re really just trying to identify him.”

Frank said Tuesday that the Sheriff’s Office is awaiting toxicology reports before it determines the cause of death.

Results of such tests can take up to 60 days.

Frank said he can confirm that the man was between 40 and 50 years old.

Last week, investigators were able to confirm that the deceased had been moored offshore in Port Townsend Bay and fell into the water sometime during the night of Oct. 10 or early morning of Oct. 11.

They are still unsure if he was alive or dead when he entered the water.

Frank said they still cannot confirm time or cause of death.

The body was found floating 12 feet offshore near Irondale on the afternoon of Oct. 11.

Sheriff’s deputies along with first responders with East Jefferson Fire-Rescue were dispatched to the end of Monroe Street in Port Hadlock-Irondale and retrieved the body shortly after 1 p.m.

The Sheriff’s Office is in charge of the ongoing investigation, and deputies can be reached at 360-385-3831.

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