Aug 25, 2006 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

Investigators have confirmed that the body pulled from Redstone Creek behind the Greater Uniontown Joint Sewage Authority is that of South Union Township man who had been reported missing Sunday. Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip E. Reilly said the body of William Eugene McCune, 35, of Bierer Wood Acres, was positively identified through an autopsy conducted Wednesday night by Allegheny County forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht.

Reilly also said the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be asphyxiation due to drowning, but noted that the manner of death remains undetermined.

Deputy Coroner Marisa Springer pronounced McCune dead at 11:47 a.m. Wednesday.

McCune’s body was found at 11:07 a.m. in the same area of Fayette County that state police had scoured in search of the missing man, downstream from where searchers previously had found a bicycle and backpack that purportedly belonged to McCune.

Police said his decomposed body was found face up in the creek about 50 yards upstream from the sewage plant discharge in North Union Township.

Reilly said investigators made a positive identification through fingerprints as well as tattoos on McCune’s body, which were confirmed by family members.

Reilly said Thursday that CT scan of McCune’s body prior to the autopsy did not reveal weapon fragments or bullets and said that it remains to be determined whether the death was accidental or if foul play was involved.

The results of toxicology tests on McCune will be released in the coming days, Reilly said.

McCune was reported missing Sunday. Police said he was last seen riding a bicycle near Little Summit Road in Dunbar Township around 4:40 p.m. Saturday.

An unidentified woman discovered McCune’s birth certificate on the sidewalk on North Beeson Avenue in Uniontown Monday afternoon and turned it in to city police.

The state police and the coroner’s office are continuing to investigate the death.