Police investigating cause of death for Athens man whose body was found along railroad tracks

By Joe Johnson

Authorities have identified the man whose body was found last week by some abandoned railroad tracks but it remained unknown how 42-year-old Jarrard Pittard died.

The body of the Athens man was discovered Dec. 3 along the old tracks that are in an area adjacent to Thomas N. Lay Park off of Hoyt Street.

Pittard was a resident of Athens who was said by officials to have been homeless at the time of his death.

Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson said Pittard was identified on Tuesday through fingerprint analysis.

A cause of death is still pending the results of toxicology test at the State Crime Lab, according to Wilson.

Police asked for anyone with information related to Puttard's death to contact Detective Hovie Lister at 762-400-7333 or Hovie.Lister@accgov.com.