THOMASVILLE — The body of an elderly man neighbors said fed stray cats and wild birds was found in his back yard Sunday night.

A male juvenile traveling on Chatham Drive saw what appeared to be a body lying in the yard at 710 Marshall St. The youth was joined by a female juvenile, and the pair walked to the house. The male called 911.

Police arrived a few minutes after 7 p.m. and identified the body as 80-year-old Gary Cannon, who lived at the address.

Cannon, who lived alone, was lying on his back with cat and bird food in two bags next to the body, an incident report states.

Neighbors told police Cannon was known to feed animals in the area, but he had not been seen for a couple of days.

Cannon died 24 to 36 hours prior to the body being discovered, said Thomas County Coroner Don Shiver.

“There is no foul play suspected whatsoever,” said Maj. Wade Glover, Thomasville Police Department public information officer.

There were no marks on the body to indicate trauma, Glover added.

Because of Cannon’s medical history and no signs of foul play, there will be no autopsy, the coroner said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820