CDC Worker's Death Ruled Suicide By Drowning

ATLANTA, GA — The death of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researcher whose body was found in the Chattahoochee River has been ruled a suicide by drowning.

Timothy Cunningham, 35, had been missing for nearly two months when his body was pulled from the river last month. Atlanta Police had said at the time that no foul play was suspected in his death.

On Tuesday, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office ruled the death a suicide, with drowning as the cause. Some marijuana was found in Cunningham's system, but there were no signs of trauma and no traces of any other mood-altering drugs, the examiner's office said.

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Cunningham, an epidemiologist with degrees from Morehouse College and Harvard University, was last heard from around 7 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, when he called in sick to work. Working as an epidemic intelligence officer, he had worked on emergencies including Superstorm Sandy and outbreaks of the Ebola and Zika viruses.

His body was found April 3. The Atlanta Police Department said Tuesday its investigation into Cunningham's death is closed.

Anyone having thoughts of suicide or self-harm may contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the group's website. The lifeline provides free, confidential counseling and support.

Photo courtesy Atlanta Police Department