RIDGELAND — A body found off of Rice Road early last month has been identified as a Vicksburg man.

The body found in the woods along Rice Road on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 7, has been identified as Howard Hendren Hennessey, 48, of Vicksburg, according to Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of Mr. Hennessey,” Myers said.

Myers said Hennessey was reported missing in Vicksburg on July 13. No further details are available in an ongoing investigation, he said.

 A surveyor found the corpse across from the Bill Waller Crafts Center last month.

“It looks like it has been there for quite a while,” Myers said at the time.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting RPD.