Death of man found decomposing in car under investigation

By Joe Johnson

Authorities are investigating the death of a 34-year-old man whose body was discovered decomposing in his car this week.

The body of Austin Nick Vanderford was found Saturday afternoon by the mother of his child who was checking on his welfare where his car had been parked in Southeast Clarke Park.

Vanderford was said to have been in the fully reclined driver’s seat of his BMW.

The woman called 911 after unsuccessfully trying to break a window and the police and firefighters who responded got into the vehicle,

Although Vanderford was suspect of having used drugs, no drugs or paraphernalia were located in the car, according the police, who said that he had no obvious injuries.

An autopsy is to be conducted at the state medical examiner’s office.