The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
An autopsy today positively identified a body found in First Landing State Park after authorities searched several days for a missing sailor.
Police said that the body found Saturday morning in a ravine near one of the park's main hiking trails is that of Gerard Curran, 45.
When Curran last spoke with his family Tuesday evening, everything appeared to be normal, police said.
Then he disappeared. His family reported him missing Thursday, and police found his vehicle near First Landing State Park's Trail Center.
Search-and-rescue teams mobilized to find Curran, using canines, foot patrols and the Police Department's Mounted Unit, said Officer Margie Long, a police spokeswoman.
Curran's wife was at First Landing State Park when the body was found around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, said park manager Bruce Widener. She had been helping with the search.
His family joined detectives at the scene, near the park's Trail Center, Widener said. Media were not allowed near the site.
Officials declined to comment on the body's condition and said the case is being investigated as a suicide. Long said foul play is not suspected.
Curran, of the 600 block of Piney Branch Drive, was stationed at Norfolk, Long said. He was also a father, Widener said.
Curran was an electronic technician chief petty officer and joined the Navy in 1991. He has been stationed in Florida and South Korea and was a recipient of the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
First Landing State Park encompasses 2,888 acres and has 19 miles of trails, according to its Web site. Widener declined to say which trail the body was found near.
Park rangers closed First Landing on Saturday morning, then reopened most areas in the afternoon. Bikers, dog-walkers and joggers used the area as usual, and signs advertised a party and wedding there.
All areas were reopened by about 4:45 p.m., once the body was removed, Widener said.
Police request that anyone with information about the case call the Police Department at (757) 385-5000 or (757) 385-4101.
Staff Writer Ricardo Lopez contributed to this story.
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
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Remember the timeline of
Remember the timeline of events. The victim was located several days after being reported missing which was two days after going missing. The elements and time can do things which make visual identification of a deceased person difficult. Don't forget, this is being investigated as a suicide. Perhaps the method used to commit suicide made identification difficult.
Family Needs Support
No matter what the final ruling on the cause of death is, his family now needs prayer and support. Not just now while the media and speculation circuses ensue, but in the months to come. He is gone, but the pain his famly will endure lives on. Please remember that in your speculations and posts.
gut instinct sez...
There's more to the story and as always the first release of info is guarded. I'd believe heat related if he were passed out on the trail, not well off the path in a ravine. I hope for the family's sake it's something benign. But it usually is something ugly like suicide or some other "out of the norm end". Prayers are with his family.
Hmmmm....
If the PD says it doesn't suspect foul play, why are they soliciting anyone with information about the case to come forward?
The police are asking for
The police are asking for any available information because they are doing their jobs. Suicides are contested often by families. Many family members are unable or unwilling to accept that their loved one killed themselves even though all the evidence points to a suicide. Perhaps the police are asking for any available information because they want to see if any information they might receive would support whatever evidence they have.
Danger lurks!
I have been a avid runner for well over 30 years. I also have been certified as a running coach. One possibility of this man's death could very well be "heat Exhaustion". Over the years I have witnessed many case's of this. I see many inexperienced joggers coming close to it all the time. The summer can bring on dangerous heat, and the trails inside the woods hold even more moisture and humidity and less wind to help cool the body. I have logged thousands of miles in the park. Another danger that always comes to my mind is the potential of rape etc. that presents itself with many women runners and joggers that are by themselves. These concerns should be addressed well, before ever attempting a jog through any park.