Body found in Trenton identified as that of missing 35-year-old man

Police have identified a body found in Trenton on Feb. 15 as Trent Williams, 35.

Williams was last seen by his family on the afternoon of Feb. 9. They reported him missing to the Trenton Police Department on Feb. 11.

His body was found in a field near Buck Wade Loop near a large farm tractor that had been stolen on Feb. 9, according to Trenton Police Department Lt. James Wilson. Williams was positively identified by the medical examiner in Memphis on Saturday. 

Police located the tractor, worth about $200,000, using GPS on the evening of Feb. 9. The tractor had crashed into a deep ditch in a field near Buck Wade Loop outside of Trenton, Wilson said. There was no sign of a suspect.

Wilson said the police did an "extensive" search of the area for about three hours, working with Gibson County Sheriff's Department, the Jackson Police Department K-9 Unit and the JPD Aviation Unit. 

Heavy rains moved into the area on Feb. 10, delaying further searches. The area in and around where the tractor crashed was "completely underwater," Wilson said. Police conducted another search on Feb. 13 but did not find any sign of Williams.

"It was hindered a lot due to the flooding," Wilson explained.

Police located Williams' body when the flood waters receded on Feb. 15. Because they investigated the missing person case and theft together, police made a preliminary identification and notified his family.

The autopsy has not yet been completed, but ruled out trauma and drowning as cause of death.

Reach Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephens@jacksonsun.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.