UPDATE: Body Found in Downtown Effingham Sunday Morning Identified

The identity of a man found dead in downtown Effingham Sunday morning has been released by authorities.

Dead is 47-year old James Pontious of Effingham. Pontious' body was found near the intersection of Fourth and Jefferson in Effingham at 7:17 Sunday morning by a man out for his morning walk. It was reported that the body was lying in some bushes along the sidewalk. Effingham County Coroner Duane Guffey pronounced Pontious dead at 7:47am.

Foul play is not suspected, and it appears the death was of natural causes. An autopsy is set for Monday morning.

Effingham City police are continuing their investigation, and are being assisted by the Effingham County Coroner's Office.