Man Found Dead at His Home in Watson Monday Morning

A Watson resident was found dead at his residence Monday morning.

The person has been identified as 72-year-old Arnold Brakefield. 

The Effingham County Sheriff's Office and Rural Med EMS responded at 7:45am to the Brakefield residence regarding an unresponsive man. Upon arriving, the authorities found Brakefield dead in his garage. The Effingham County Coroner's Office was notified. Coroner Kim Rhodes and Deputy Coroner Joel Deters responded to the scene.

The Coroner's Office reported that preliminary investigation revealed no foul play. Due to other circumstances and other information gathered at the scene, an autopsy is scheduled for 10am Tuesday at Springfield Memorial Medical Center to determine the official cause of death. Medical records were received from Brakefield's primary physician. Friends are handling his funeral arrangements due to no other next of kin.

The death remains under investigation by the Effingham County Coroner's Office.