Body found in woods near Ameristar Casino

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg Police Department responded to a report of a dead body today, Friday, Feb. 20.

According to reports, at around 3 p.m., VPD were alerted that there was a Black male deceased in the wooded area near Ameristar Casino. The wooded area is south of the casino parking lot and located before the old Highway 80 Bridge.

The individual was found when a hotel guest was walking their dog. The dog located the deceased individual. VPD Chief Larry Burns confirmed the body was recovered and turned over to the Warren County Coroner’s Office.

Coroner Doug Husky, who was also on scene, said the body had been there for some unknown amount of time. The deceased’s family was also on scene. Initial indications are that there is no sign of foul play and the individual died of natural causes.

UPDATE – 5:30 p.m. – Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey has confirmed the deceased was 62-year-old missing person Arthur Hicks. Hicks had been missing since February 10.