Sheriff: suspect in custody, possibly connected to found body

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LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus man is in custody, believed to be connected to a found body in Lowndes County.

Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge confirmed Joshua Murry, 27, is a suspect in the homicide investigation.

Joshua Murry

Murry was arrested on an unrelated charge, Contempt of Court.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant confirmed a body found Wednesday is Jarrel Ward, 24.

Ward was reported missing last week to Columbus Police.

The remains were discovered in a wooded area off the 900 block of Sand Road.

According to Sheriff Mike Arledge, the body had been in the area for sometime.

Ward’s body has been sent to the state crime lab in Pearl with requests of rushed results.

Starkville Police, Lowndes County Deputies, Columbus Police and U.S. Marshals are working the case.

This is a developing story and will be updated.