The CDC epidemiologist, who has been missing since February, is now found dead in an Atlanta river, but police say there is no foul play.
Investigators said in a statement on Thursday that Cunningham appeared to have died by drowning, although the manner of death is not yet identified.
Officials stated they are bound to conclude the investigation if there is no new information available. The medical examiner is yet to submit an autopsy report.
The 35-year-old scientist had been last seen on Feb. 12 before his body was discovered in the Chattahoochee River, according to police spokesperson Carlos Campos.
Authorities identified Cunningham's body through his dental records.
No Indication Of Foul Play
Atlanta Police Department's Major Michael O'Connor said in a press conference that investigators found Cunningham wearing a pair of running shoes. O'Connor said that everything is clear as of the moment, and the proximity of the victim's house to the river.
The no-foul-play findings by the investigators are parallel to the condition of Cunningham's body when he was found. They traced no signs of physical trauma and the crystals were still intact in his pocket.
However, the mystery still lies on why and how Cunningham got into the river. Several investigating teams scoured the site but initially did not find indications of Cunningham.
"It was very difficult terrain, very difficult to access the location of where Mr. Cunningham was found," said Sergeant Cortez Stafford of the Atlanta Fire Department. "It was in a remote area that's not easily accessible by walking trails, by vehicle or by people just being around there."
Reports stated that two local fishermen called 911 about a sighting of a man's body. Stafford said the police cannot say conclusively if the body was already present there when they first surveyed the area on Feb. 23 or if it was moved there afterward. He added that the rise and fall of the water make it difficult to determine which one is exactly the case.
Passed Over For Promotion
As reported earlier, Anne Schuchat, the CDC director, denied allegations that Cunningham did not receive an anticipated promotion in an official statement published on its website.
"There has been news coverage that Commander Cunningham recently did not receive a promotion. As many of his colleagues in the USPHS have pointed out, this information is incorrect," Schuchat said.
"In fact, he received an early promotion/exceptional proficiency promotion to Commander effective July 1, 2017, in recognition of his exemplary performance in the U.S. Public Health Service."
Cunningham's disappearance prompted the authorities to issue a $10,000 reward for anyone who can provide validated clues.
