Man’s Body Found Floating in Cross Bayou

Shreveport police and the Caddo Coroner's Office are investigating what might have happened to a man whose body was found floating in Cross Bayou Wednesday.

According to a news release, Dr. Todd Thoma has preliminarily identified the man as 36-year-old Jeremy Burks. He was identified through clothing and jewelry, as well as two tattoos that matched the description from a missing persons report. Burks' stepfather and sister have been notified.

Construction surveyors called Shreveport police when they discovered what appeared to be human remains in the water just east of North Hearne Avenue. The body was believed to have been in the bayou for quite some time, based on the stage of decomposition.

The remains were recovered by coroner's investigators, with the help of the Shreveport Fire Department and the Caddo Sheriff's Office Marine Unit.

The coroner's office says there were no signs of trama of foul play, but the investigation continues. An autopsy is being performed this morning at University Health.

This is the second time in less than a year that a body has been found in Cross Bayou. Back in July 2015, two men fishing in the 3700 block of Old Blanchard Highway found the body of 36-year-old JonVonnie Spearman floating in the bayou just off the roadway.

Spearman was Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler's niece. There's been no new information released in her death.