The body of a man found on Thorn Trail last Wednesday has beenpositively identified as that of missing Brookhavenite TravisHenderson, officials said Wednesday.

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said DNA samples wereidentified by Scales Biological Laboratory in Brandon as matchingthose of previously taken samples belonging to Henderson, 27, whowent missing around January 7 of this year.

A cause of death has not been officially determined. A televisedreport Wednesday night said Henderson had died of a gunshot wound,but neither Rushing nor Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris wouldconfirm that information.

“The cause of death is pending, and we’re waiting on theofficial autopsy report to answer those questions definitely,” saidRushing.

McMorris said the complete autopsy report should be receivedfrom the office of state medical examiner Dr. Steven Hayne in thenext few days.

“He’s the one who will determine the cause of death, so we willhave that, but we just don’t at this time,” McMorris said.

He said the medical examiner is working with an anthropologistto reach the final conclusion on how Henderson died.

“We’re waiting on the anthropologist’s and Dr. Haynes’ autopsyreports to come together to give us the cause,” he said.

Rushing said at this time the autopsy report will also helpdetermine whether Henderson’s death is a homicide.

“This is now officially a death investigation, whereas it was amissing persons investigation until this point,” Rushing said.”We’re trying to run down leads, and we’re still looking for anyinformation on what might have happened.”

Henderson disappeared January 7. The missing personsinvestigation was kicked into high gear when a Chevy Camaro thatwas found abandoned at the corner of Sunset Road and Bahalia Roadwas identified as the one Henderson had been driving.

Rushing reiterated that his department is always open toinformation from the public, no matter how big or how small thetip.

“Anyone with information, regardless of what it is, we need tohear from you,” Rushing said. “Every little bit helps at thistime.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Lincoln CountySheriff’s Department at (601) 833-5231.

Tyler Funeral home will handle the arrangements, which areincomplete.