UPDATE: The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office announced that foul play was not suspected in the case of the burning body found in the woods on Sunday.

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The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the burned body of a man found in the woods Sunday night.

On Sunday, Jan. 6, around 6 p.m. the RCSO responded to a call of a fire in a wooded area off Highway 212 near Susong Road near the Monastery of the Holy Spirit.

According to RCSO Investigator Michael Camp, hunters leaving the area reportedly saw a light and upon coming closer, saw that it was a small brush fire.

Deputies that arrived found a body burning in that brush fire. Investigators have been processing the scene through the night. 

The body is believed to be male, but no other identifying information is available.

At this time, the case is being treated as a suspicious death, with no definitive cause of death. An autopsy is expected to be performed in the next couple of days, which should determine a cause of death.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time this incident occurred is asked to contact the RCSO at 770-278-8000. 

According to the RCSO, based on evidence at the scene, information obtained during the investigation, and the autopsy performed on Monday, foul play is not suspected at this time. The fire and cause of death are believed to be either accidental or intentional.

Investigator Michael Camp said the autopsy revealed that there were no gunshot wounds, stab wounds or traumatic injuries. He said the presence of fire accelerants was detected, but what kind of accelerant was still being confirmed.

Family members have been contacted and a DNA test will need to be performed to confirm the identity of the victim.

"It is a strange case and hopefully once we get the ID, we’ll be able to answer some questions," said Camp.

“I want to commend our deputies and investigators for their hard work on this case,” said Sheriff Eric Levett.  “I want to reassure everyone that this is not a murder and there was never a danger to the public.”

This is still an active investigation, and it may be several weeks before the tentative identification can be confirmed. Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to call the RCSO at 770-278-8000.

According to the RCSO, based on evidence at the scene, information obtained during the investigation, and the autopsy performed on Monday, foul play is not suspected at this time. The fire and cause of death are believed to be either accidental or intentional.

Investigator Michael Camp said the autopsy revealed that there were no gunshot wounds, stab wounds or traumatic injuries. He said the presence of fire accelerants was detected, but what kind of accelerant was still being confirmed.

Family members have been contacted and a DNA test will need to be performed to confirm the identity of the victim.

"It is a strange case and hopefully once we get the ID, we’ll be able to answer some questions," said Camp.

“I want to commend our deputies and investigators for their hard work on this case,” said Sheriff Eric Levett.  “I want to reassure everyone that this is not a murder and there was never a danger to the public.”

This is still an active investigation, and it may be several weeks before the tentative identification can be confirmed. Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to call the RCSO at 770-278-8000.

The released statement read "Based on evidence at the scene, information obtained during the investigation, and the autopsy that was performed on Monday afternoon, foul play is not suspected at this time. The fire and cause of death are believed to be either accidental or intentional."

“I want to commend our deputies and investigators for their hard work on this case,” said Sheriff Eric Levett.  “I want to reassure everyone that this is not a murder and there was never a danger to the public.”

This is still an active investigation, and it may be several weeks before the tentative identification can be confirmed. Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to call the RCSO at 770-278-8000.