Emergency personnel worked two separate incidents last week involving the death of county residents.
Helen Fredine Little, 71, of 322 N. Hill Dr., Carriere, was found on Aug. 9 after she went missing from her home earlier that day.
Little, who was recently diagnosed with dementia, had wandered from her home around noon, after which family members notified the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department that she was missing, Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said.
Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Seal and his bloodhound were called to the scene and tracked Little’s scent to a nearby wooded area around 4 p.m., Tucker said.
Deputies then discovered Little’s body. Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage said her cause of death has been listed as an apparent suicide.
Tucker said the Sheriff’s Department is continuing their investigation into the incident.
In a separate matter, Michael Jarvis, 64, was found dead on Aug. 9 in his room at the Picayune Motel, where he was a long-term resident, Turnage said.
The Picayune Police Department responded to a call around 10:30 a.m. after motel employees discovered Jarvis’ body in his room when they made attempts to collect rent, Picayune Chief of Police Bryan Dawsey said.
When officers arrived on scene, it was obvious that the victim had been deceased for quite some time, Dawsey said.
An investigation determined Jarvis died of natural causes on July 27, Turnage said.
Turnage said Jarvis’ death resulted from non-compliance with treatment regimens for heart disease.
Dawsey said the department has closed the case because it appears Jarvis passed due to natural causes.