A Marion County man reportedly missing since late July was found dead by police on Sunday.

On September 8th at approximately 1:40 PM, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a concerned citizen of a male that had not been seen since on or about July 25. The missing individual was identified as James Orville Morris, Junior of Marion County.

From the initial report, multiple detectives and deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office conducted multiple interviews with individuals associated with Morris. Various searches had been conducted of the area where he was last known to be
seen, with the subject not being located.

Today, on September 15th, another follow-up search of the area east of 150th Avenue, near the Lake Red Rock area was conducted with the assistance of cadaver K-9’s and their handlers from the Iowa Task Force One. At approximately 12:35 PM, a member of the Iowa Task Force One, their K-9, and a Marion County Sheriff’s Detective, located the body of a deceased individual in a wooded area near Lake Red Rock. The body is believed to be that of Morris, but the remains will be sent to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s to positively confirm identity.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed that Morris took his own life.

Sheriff Jason Sandholdt stated, “My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We were all hoping for a better outcome than what we found today.”

Agencies participating in the search include: the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Reserves, Department of Public Safety Mobile Field Force Unit, Indiana-Township Fire Department, Knoxville Township Fire Department, Knoxville City Rescue, K-9 and handlers from Iowa Task Force One, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rangers, and the Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office.