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Autopsy on man found dead Friday will be performed

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, The Southern

Friday, January 25, 2008 2:18 PM CST

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- An autopsy will be performed today to determine what caused the death of Kenneth Reiger, an oil treating company employee from McLeansboro whose body was discovered early this morning in rural Franklin County, Coroner Stephen Leek said.

Reiger's body was located on a catwalk between two oil tank batteries about 200 yards off Old Mine 24 Road after he failed to return home from an early evening call to the site.

Leek said an autopsy would be performed today, although results may be back for weeks.

Reiger had apparently gone to the site between 6 and 7 p.m.

Thursday and when he failed to return home, family notified a coworker who then contacted the sheriff's department, Wilson said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is expected to send an investigator to the site today.