Authorities in east central Mississippi are investigating whether a body found in a vehicle Tuesday night in Clarke County is that of a man missing from neighboring Wayne County.

Clarke County Sheriff Todd Kemp says Wednesday that officials were awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. He says foul play is suspected because of evidence found in the vehicle.

Joe Michael Ruffin of Waynesboro has been missing for several days.

Kemp says authorities suspect the body is Ruffin’s, based on descriptions given by relatives, but decomposition has made identification difficult.

Kemp says the vehicle was located on a county road near the Vossburg community.